IDFA members ask Congress to oppose limits on milk supply

The International Dairy Foods Association is the leading opponent of the Dairy Market Stabilization Program, a supply management provision included in the Dairy Security Act.

Submitted by the International Dairy Foods Association

More than 30 dairy foods manufacturers – including some of the largest food companies in the United States – have sent letters over the past week to members of the House and Senate, including key agriculture committee members, calling on them to oppose government-imposed limits on milk supply. Instead, they urge legislators to adopt the Dairy Freedom Act, a bipartisan compromise alternative offered by two House Agriculture Committee members, Representatives Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and David Scott (D-GA).

The manufacturing companies are members of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), which has been the leading opponent of the Dairy Market Stabilization Program, a supply management provision included in the Dairy Security Act, part of the Farm Bill versions proposed by the committees last year.

“The Dairy Freedom Act would resolve a very contentious issue that has played a significant role in delaying the Farm Bill,” said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president for legislative and economic affairs. “This bill mirrors everything in the Dairy Security Act except the hugely divisive supply management provision, which is opposed by a broad and deep alliance of consumer groups, anti-tax groups, food and restaurant groups, many dairy producer groups and dairy foods manufacturers.”

Dairy foods manufacturers would be subjected to new and extensive regulations under the provision in the Dairy Security Act, which is expected to be included in the Farm Bill versions proposed by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and House Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas (R-OK). Both chairs were copied on the letters. The Dairy Market Stabilization Program would use market regulations to assure that farm milk prices remain high, which would hurt consumers, food companies and dairy exporters.

South Dakota

Saputo Cheese USA
Lake Norden Food Ingredient Co. (Davisco Foods International)
Valley Queen Cheese Factory
Bel Brands USA

wrote to Senator John Thune (R-SD) and to House Agriculture Committee Member Representative Kristi Noem (R-SD).

Pennsylvania

Carl Colteryahn Dairy Inc.
Turkey Hill Dairy
Galliker Dairy Co.
Hershey Creamery Co.
HP Hood LLC (Penn Maid/Crowley Foods, Rosenberger’s Dairies/Crowley Foods)
The Kroger Co.
Alouette Cheese LLC
Dean Foods Co. (Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms, Meadowbrook Dairy, Swiss Premium Dairy)
Kraft Foods Group

wrote to Senators Robert Casey (D-PA) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) and to House Agriculture Committee Member Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA).

California

Lactalis American Group
Safeway
The Kroger Co. (Compton Creamery, Riverside Creamery)
Arthur Schuman
Alouette Cheese (Fleur De Lait-West)
Nestle USA
Dean Foods (Alta Dena Dairy, Berkeley Farms, Heartland Farms, Swiss Dairy)
Saputo

wrote to Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Gloria Negrete-McLeod (D-CA), Jeff Denham (R-CA), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

Alabama

Blue Bell Creameries
Borden Dairy Co.
Dean Foods (Barber’s Dairy, Mayfield Dairy Farms)
Saputo

wrote to Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Martha Roby (R-AL), both members of the House Agriculture Committee.

Kentucky

Bel Brands USA, Borden Dairy Co.
The Kroger Co. (Winchester Farms Dairy)
Dean Foods (Louis Trauth Dairy)
Saputo

wrote to Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Iowa

Anderson Erickson Dairy Co.
Agropur Inc.
Wapsie Valley Creamery
Wells Enterprises
Nestle USA
Dean Foods

wrote to Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

Wisconsin

Lactalis American Group
Saputo Cheese USA
Bel Brands USA
Grande Cheese Co. (Grande Custom Ingredients Group)
Galloway Co.
Sargento Foods Inc.
Arthur Schuman, Inc. (Imperia Foods)
Sartori Co.
Agropur Inc.
Dean Foods (Morning Glory Dairy, Verifine Dairy Products)
Great Lakes Cheese Co.

wrote to Representatives Sean Duffy (R-WI), Ron Kind (D-WI), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Tom Petri (R-WI), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI).

Texas

Hilmar Cheese Co.
Borden Dairy Co.
The Dannon Co.
Plains Dairy, LLC
Blue Bell Creameries, LP
H-E-B
The Kroger Co.
Dean Foods (Gandy’s Dairy Products, Oak Farms Dairy, Price’s Creameries, Southwest Ice Cream Specialties)
Saputo (Saputo Dairy Foods)

wrote to Representatives Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), Pete Gallego (D-TX), Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Filemon Vela (D-TX), who are all House Agriculture Committee members.

Ohio