Grange Calls For Compact Extension, Better Pricing

July 16,1999

The National Grange wants Congress to approve legislation that makes the Northeast Dairy Compact permanent and authorizes a new milk producer compact across the southern tier of states. The Grange also called for approval of the marketing order milk pricing reform option considered more favorable to farmers.

National Grange President Kermit W. Richardson said farmers in the South should have the same opportunity to benefit as farmers in the Northeast through a regional compact. "If states are not afforded the ability to collectively agree on a stable production price for Class I (fluid) milk, consumers in those states will permanently lose the ability to purchase a fresh, locally produced product."

He said that the Northeast Dairy Compact will expire Oct. 1, the same date milk market order reforms become effective, with the Option 1B included. That option is thought to provide milk producers with lower milk prices than Option 1A being considered by Congress.

"If we do nothing, this combination one-two punch will deliver a crippling economic blow to dairy farmers across the country," Richardson said.