For immediate release: September 16, 2009

For More Information Contact:
Adrienne Joseph or Sue Carlson
WFU Office: 715-723-5561
Adrienne Joseph's cell: 715-379-2712 Sue Carlson's cell: 608-769-7625
ajoseph@wisconsinfarmersunion.com or scarlson@wisconsinfarmersunion.com

WFU members ask Congressional leaders to help solve dairy crisis

Washington, D.C. (September 16, 2009) - Wisconsin Farmers Union members stood behind U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-VT, yesterday as he and a coalition of other Senators called for legislation to support dairy farmers. Sanders' amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill would provide $350 million for milk price supports and increased government purchases of surplus dairy products.

"It is clear from our meetings with Congress members they are aware of the economic collapse within the dairy farming industry," said WFU President Sue Carlson. "We must focus on what can be done now and what must be done so this does not happen in the future."

Along with the Sanders amendment, WFU is supporting the Milk Import Tariff Equity Act to close the milk protein concentrate loophole and the Family Dairy Preservation Act of 2009 to temporarily increase Milk Income Loss Contract program benefits.

Sen. Kohl issued a letter yesterday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Justice urging a closer look into antitrust issues involving giant companies that dominate the dairy products market. Sen. Feingold told WFU members during a meeting yesterday he support this investigation as well.

"We do need to look at why these companies are posting record profits while more and more family dairy farms are failing," Carlson said. "Farmers are getting about one-fourth of the price consumers are paying for their gallon of milk."

In addition to the dairy crisis, WFU is advocating for cap and trade legislation. Farmers Union said the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives is a "step in the right direction."

"If Congress fails to pass comprehensive climate change legislation, the Environmental Protection Agency will regulate greenhouse gas emissions," Carlson said. "We need cap and trade legislation that makes sense for farmers."

EPA has the authority to do so given a Supreme Court decision ruling greenhouse gas emissions a threat to public health.

The cap and trade legislation should include a renewable electricity standard, Carlson said.

"Agriculture could supply as much as 25 percent of U.S. energy needs over the next 20 years. A renewable electricity standard would create a market for homegrown energy," she said.

WFU will continue their meetings with Congressional leaders today.