PRINTER'S NO. 2120
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
423
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SCHWANK, TARTAGLIONE, TEPLITZ, BOSCOLA,
BARTOLOTTA, GREENLEAF, FONTANA, BREWSTER, GORDNER, KILLION,
COSTA, SABATINA, MENSCH AND WARD, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016
REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, SEPTEMBER 29, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Strongly urging the United States Department of Agriculture to
use all the resources at its disposal to provide financial
assistance to dairy farmers and to manage milk production
levels.
WHEREAS, Dairy farming as a family business has long been
woven into this nation's history; and
WHEREAS, Farm milk prices have dropped 40% since 2014, due to
both an increase in United States production levels and changes
in the European Union's regulation of milk production; and
WHEREAS, In many dairy market regions of the United States,
dairy farmers are facing similar margin shortfalls while still
adjusting to the new changes in dairy support programs from the
Agricultural Act of 2014; and
WHEREAS, According to the Center for Dairy Excellence, in
2015, this Commonwealth lost nearly 500 dairy farms; and
WHEREAS, Currently, 6,720 dairy farms are located in this
Commonwealth, representing 16% of all dairy farms across the
nation; and
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WHEREAS, Dairy farmers, who are a key part of the
agricultural community and the economy, are in greater need of
stability and support as they face lower milk prices which many
times are below the actual cost of production; and
WHEREAS, The Secretary of Agriculture has the authority,
under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to expand and
maintain United States domestic markets; and
WHEREAS, By taking such action, the United States Department
of Agriculture can make an immediate market injection to
directly and equally support struggling dairy farmers
nationwide; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
strongly urge the United States Department of Agriculture to use
all the resources at its disposal to provide financial
assistance to dairy farmers and to manage milk production
levels; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, United
States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue,
S.W., Washington, DC 20250.
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