The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has released a statement thanking Chairman Boozman, Senate Agriculture Committee members, and their staffs for working on a farm bill that will bring greater certainty to producers. The proposed bill includes several key dairy highlights, such as authorizing mandatory cost and yield surveys to ensure future changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders reflect the most current market conditions.
Dairy Highlights
Some of the key dairy highlights of the bill include: extending the Dairy Indemnity Program and the Dairy Promotion and Research Program, making permanent the Dairy Forward Pricing Program, and supporting voluntary, producer-led conservation programs. The bill also establishes a long-term policy directive for the U.S. government to proactively negotiate protections for common cheese names like “parmesan” and “feta”.
The proposed bill also includes provisions to streamline the process for conservation Technical Service Provider certification, establish the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program, and expand opportunities for animal health programs to receive additional funding through annual appropriations. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that whole milk may be served in the school breakfast program and increases the authorization of funding for Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
