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Reps. Green, Ryan tackle dairy market
inequities with key reform legislation

Green also introduces bills to protect family farms, honor American farm women

 WASHINGTON – Over the last 60 years, U.S. dairy policy has followed a clear standard – stack the chips against Wisconsin farmers.  But, if U.S. Reps. Mark Green (R-Green Bay) and Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) get their way, that policy will soon change. 

Green recently introduced legislation to significantly revamp the way the U.S. government deals with dairy markets.  Under his plan, the federal milk marketing order system would undergo significant changes, bringing greater balance to milk prices between U.S. regions.  It would also establish a new price support system to help farmers cope with market fluctuations. 

“For far too long, Wisconsin farmers have been the victims of lopsided national dairy policies,” Green said.  “This bill is a one-two punch to address these inequities.  It makes the regional milk pricing system more evenhanded, narrowing unfair price differences across the country, and it sets up a new way of handling aid to farmers.” 

Ryan teamed up with Green to offer this dairy reform legislation. 

“Year in and year out, our dairy farmers have suffered from the government’s terribly unfair milk pricing practices,” Ryan said.  “The current lopsided dairy policy – that favors dairy farmers in other regions at the expense of Wisconsin farmers – needs real reform.  We’re trying to fix what’s wrong with the system.” 

Green also introduced a proposal – the “Family Farm Protection Act” – to lighten the burden on farmers who pass their farms down to family members.  Specifically, the bill would eliminate federal capital gains taxes levied on farmers who sell their farm to a family member. 

“Farmers shouldn’t be penalized for wanting to pass their farms on to the next generation,” Green said.  “The family farm played a vital role in this nation’s founding, and has long been the symbol of a wholesome American lifestyle.  But excessive taxes and today’s competitive marketplace has pushed these farmers to the breaking point.  This proposal will help give America’s family farmers some peace of mind, and help preserve our proud family farming heritage.” 

Green also introduced a bill to create a new postage stamp honoring the contributions of farm women throughout American history.

 “Women have had an unsung role in American agriculture for centuries,” Green said.  “Their contributions are widely recognized by their own families, but the general public isn’t truly aware of all they’ve done to build agricultural prosperity in our nation.”

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