Dairy Amendments Expected

October 4, 2001

At least four dairy-related amendments were expected to be offered during the House debate on a new farm bill. Two were to authorize wider use of regional interstate dairy compacts to raise milk prices -- one filed by Reps. Don Sherwood (R-PA), Bob Etheridge (D-NC) and John McHugh (R-NY), and another filed by Rep. Jim Walsh (R-NY). Since the compact amendments are not germane to the bill (jurisdiction over interstate compacts resides with the Judiciary Committee, not the Agriculture Committee), it is expected these will not be successful, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.

Other dairy amendments include a totally new dairy scheme proposed by Rep. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) which includes a $17.50 Class I price, national pooling provisions, new subsidies for producers supplying other classes, and provisions for the creation of regional supply management programs. A separate amendment calls for a study of national dairy policy, proposed by Rep. Jim Walsh (R-NY).

IDFA has sent communications to Capitol Hill urging Members of Congress to vote against any dairy amendments.

The list of amendments filed also includes an amendment to the bill's sugar provisions proposed by Rep. Dan Miller (R-FL) and George Miller (D-CA). IDFA supports this amendment.