FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 1996
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District), along with Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee Chairman Steve Gunderson (R-WI) and several other Agriculture Committee members, today sent a letter to United States Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman asking for help for the nation’s dairy farmers.
“A combination of high feed costs, low cattle prices, drought, and rising cash costs of farming are devastating family farms,” the letter states. “Without decisive efforts to address these adverse conditions, many farms will be unable to continue to operate.”
The Members urge Glickman to take the following steps:
Make advance purchases of dairy products for use in the school lunch and breakfast programs and other nutrition assistance programs.
Fully implement Farm Bill provisions related to the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) so as to aggressively develop and exploit market opportunities in export destinations.
Announce the DEIP program allocations for the new GATT year on July 1, 1996, with allocations available for at least a one year period.
Fully utilize the Food for Progress Program and maximize use of dairy products in it. Make available any feed grains held in government reserves that are intended for domestic use.
“The dairy industry is hurting and unless we do something to help, more farms will have to close down,” Peterson said. “I am hoping this letter to Secretary Glickman will be a solid step in keeping our nation’s dairy farms operating.”