FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Doug McGinn September 22, 1999 (202) 225-3031 RYAN ENGAGES IN FLOOR BATTLE OVER USDA DAIRY REFORMS
"The fact that our state has lost nearly 11,000 dairy farmers over the last decade alone - nearly three a day - is a direct correlation to the federal milk pricing system the majority of my colleagues voted to keep in place today." WASHINGTON - First District Congressman Paul Ryan today fought out an all-out legislative battle on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in trying to preserve USDA reform policies to the nation's milk pricing system. Through both a series of amendments and procedural moves, Ryan and others sought to bring the House into line in keeping the new policies in place.The reforms, however, were defeated by a bill, H.R. 1402, introduced by Congressman Roy Blunt of Missouri that seeks to prevent implementation of the new policies in order to preserve the milk pricing disparities for fluid milk that favor dairy producers the further they live from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
"The time for horse-and-buggy economics in federal milk-pricing policy are over," declared Ryan. "The reforms put forth by the USDA are modest changes to a system that has outlived any relevance. The current system punishes Wisconsin dairy farmers simply because of where they live."
"Dairy farmers in Wisconsin work just as hard as dairy farmers in New York or Florida, but often receive half as much for their fluid milk product because of these depression-era dairy policies. By preventing the USDA reforms to go through, this Congress is preventing the will of 97 percent of the nation's dairy farmers and setting a dangerous precedent of establishing trade barriers within our own country."
"Having fought this battle against insurmountable odds in the House, we must now concentrate our efforts towards the Senate and the White House in striking down this anti-consumer, anti-free market legislation. Make no mistake, if signed into law in its current form this legislation will continue to hammer away at the bottom line of Wisconsin dairy producers. The fact that our state has lost nearly 11,000 dairy farmers over the last decade alone - nearly three a day - is a direct correlation to the federal milk pricing system the majority of my colleagues voted to keep in place today."
With over 225 cosponsors, H.R. 1402 passed the House in large part because of regional dairy coops demanding preservation of the favorable price treatments they receive under the current system. Ironically, the bill passed despite the fact that the modest reforms proposed by the USDA were supported by 97 percent of the nation's dairy farmers in a recent nationwide vote.
The modest reforms put forth by the USDA would help level the playing field for the milk prices received by dairy producers in the Upper Midwest. In particular, Wisconsin dairy farmers are placed at a competitive disadvantage under the depression-era policy currently in place.
Even before debate, Ryan conceded that the chance of defeating the Blunt legislation - with over 225 cosponsors - was slim. But he added that with the bill's passage, it would merely be a small defeat in a larger war that includes additional battles to be staged in the Senate and at the White House.
For additional information, or to speak to Congressman Ryan, please contact Doug McGinn at (202) 225-3031.
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