Recently, there have been proposals submitted to the USDA to “consider changes to the producer-handler and exempt plant provisions in all federal milk marketing orders.” (USDA Office of Communications). In January, the National Milk Producers Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association submitted changes to eliminate the producer-handler exemption in an effort to close a loophole. The premise is that larger dairy businesses have been exploiting the exemption from the Federal Milk Market Order to unfairly compete using the price advantage that the exemption provides. The exemption was originally put in place to avoid regulating small farms that bottled their own milk.
Now there are informational meetings being held to discuss these proposals and objections as to what, if any, changes should be made to the Federal Milk Market Order. Small dairies bottling their own milk are in general agreement that they are not disrupting the marketing of milk and should remain exempt.
Snowville Creamery is concerned that if the exemption is removed, they will have to go out of business. They are asking for your support in emailing Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and requesting he hold off on having a hearing until all of the facts can be heard and his new staff is appointed and can become familiar with the issues.
View text and listen to an audiocast of the Information Session here.
Send an Email to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.