General issues pertaining to dairy products and the dairy industry. Activity and efforts related to addressing High Path Avian Influenza outbreak in dairy cows. Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024 (House) and Senate Farm Bill. Reauthorization of the Farm Bill and issues impacting dairy producers and dairy products. H.R. 6687 and S. 1842 - Innovative FEED Act. A bill that would modernize FDA's regulatory framework for approving innovative animal feed ingredients. Disaster relief assistance. H.R. 1756 and S. 1014 - Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act of 2023, the FMMO manufacturing cost survey.
S 792 and H.R. 1462 - DAIRY PRIDE ACT (Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act). We support its passage and have been advocating sponsorship. Issues pertaining to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). H.R. 4366 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. House and Senate Appropriations Committees Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture-Rural Development, FDA Funding Bills; securing support for SNAP Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive Program. H.R. 1147 and S. 1957 - Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023. Language would allow schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program to serve whole or reduced-fat milk that is flavored or unflavored to students. 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, supporting revisions to the DGAs that recognize that dairy at all fat levels contribute to a healthy diet and that acknowledge lactose free dairy products as an appropriate option for lactose intolerant individuals.
We are urging Congress and the Administration to create an agricultural visa program for use by dairy farmers.
USDA's Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program (FMD) - supporting increased funding levels for these export promotion programs through the Farm Bill reauthorization process. S. 1652 and H.R. 3423 The Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act. Act would amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to define common names for agricultural commodities and food products. International Longshoreman's Association labor strike impacting supply chains across East and Gulf Coast ports.
Climate change - discussions with USDA and Congress about dairy's role in a sustainable climate and ways to reduce Green House Gas emissions.
Advocated for disaster relief funds to be tax exempt.