Cheesemakers Encourage Senate Ag Committee To Keep Working On Farm Bill

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) encouraged the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to keep working on a farm bill following a 10-11 vote Monday.

WCMA’s Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney says, “Dairy businesses depend on a strong Farm Bill that supports innovation, expands market opportunities, and helps them remain competitive in an ever-changing global marketplace.”  She says, “The committee’s proposal included many of dairy’s highest priorities, including a significant increase in funding authorization for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, stronger export promotion, and improvements to dairy risk management programs – and these investments would create new opportunities for dairy farmers and processors, strengthening rural economies across America.”

The committee’s proposal would have increased support for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII) to $36 million annually, matching a funding level championed by WCMA and strengthening a program that has helped small and mid-sized dairy businesses innovate, expand production, and reach new markets. The proposal also would have permanently authorized Mandatory Cost Surveys and the Dairy Forward Pricing Program, expanded dairy nutrition incentives to include cheese, yogurt, and cultured dairy products, and made significant new investments in export promotion through the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program while directing the protection of common food names in trade agreements.

While those elements have found bipartisan support, disagreement over the implementation of a cost-shift to states for administrative costs related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) derailed passage.

“Today’s vote underscores the importance of bipartisan, collaborative work on a comprehensive Farm Bill. Dairy processors are committed to helping ensure families have access to nutritious foods, and they recognize the importance of getting SNAP policy right. WCMA will continue to work with members of Congress to advance a Farm Bill that strengthens the dairy industry, supports rural communities, and maintains strong nutrition programs.”