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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 15, 2016 11:23 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Support for PA Dairy farmers and US Dairy Industry |
| In the near future I will be introducing a resolution directed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary requesting the USDA use all the resources at their disposal to provide financial assistance supporting US dairy farmers, and manage productions. Farm milk prices have dropped 40 percent since 2014, due to both an increase in U.S. production levels and changes in the European Union’s regulation of milk production. In many dairy market regions of the United States, including Pennsylvania, farmers are facing similar margin shortfalls while still adjusting to the new changes in dairy support programs from the federal 2014 Farm Bill. According to the PA Center for Dairy Excellence, in 2015, Pennsylvania lost nearly 500 dairy farms. Currently, 6,720 dairy farms are located in Pennsylvania, representing 16 percent of all dairy farms across the nation. The United States Secretary of Agriculture has the authority, under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, under Section 32 of the Agriculture Adjustment Act of 1935, to expand and maintain U.S. domestic markets. By taking such action, the USDA can make an immediate market injection to directly and equally support struggling dairy farmers nationwide. Please join me in supporting this important resolution to support dairy farmers throughout the Commonwealth and nationwide. |
Introduced as SR423