NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION
Lobbying for NATIONAL MILK PRODUCERS FEDERATION · Develop and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and co-ops
EPA Clean Water Rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act.
Supported efforts to update the Dairy Margin Coverage program and Dairy Revenue Protection Program. Supported dairy provisions included in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act (H.R. 7567), including commodity programs, conservation, trade, nutrition, research, energy, and other issues. Supported implementation of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 649, S. 222), including necessary funding for implementation. Educated policymakers on the effects of child nutrition legislation and programs for dairy farmers, cooperatives, and consumers. NMPF supports efforts to protect and increase kids' access to dairy through nutrition programs, including: *Continuing the requirement that dairy alternatives provided in nutrition programs be nutritionally equivalent. *Maintaining/increasing the amount of dairy WIC participants can access through the WIC program. NMPF supports H.R. 1813 to reverse the dairy reduction from the 2024 WIC foods package rulemaking. *Increasing access to universal school meals/make it easier for schools to meet requirements to qualify for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). *Protecting access to flavored milk in school meal programs. *Increasing funding to schools for milk storage equipment through the FRESH Act (H.R. 9164). Additional Nutrition Policy Areas - Supported the Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program Act (H.R. 2496, S. 1021) and advocated for keeping nutrition in the next Farm Bill. Advocated that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans rely on sound science. Opposed efforts to limit food choice under SNAP. Supported the Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act to require USDA to conduct mandatory plant cost studies (H.R. 295, S. 581). Supported the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives grant program, including efforts to expand the program H.R. 985 and S. 420. Oppose efforts to limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs, including opposing the OFF Act (S. 557 and H.R. 1249 in 118th Congress) and opposing amendments to appropriations measures that would limit, alter, or further regulate commodity checkoff programs. Supported implementation of the disaster assistance provisions of the American Relief Act (PL 118-158).
Food, Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) - Supported funding for this system to provide the industry with information on how to avoid drug, pesticide, and environmental contaminant residue problems. Mandatory Animal ID - Supported steps to make this mandatory. Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment - Opposed legislation to avoid "overuse or misuse" of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture due to inappropriate limitations on needed antibiotics. Nonambulatory cattle - Monitored efforts to address animal handling, especially nonambulatory cattle regulations and procedures. Antibiotic Residue - Monitored and provided information relating to efforts to expand the scope of testing for antibiotic residues in animal tissues and milk. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine - Support steps to modernize North America FMD vaccine bank to support vaccine use strategies in the event of a U.S. outbreak. Animal Rights Mandates - Opposed efforts to enact animal rights mandates via federal legislation. Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk. H5N1 - Supported the development of safe and effective H5N1 vaccinations for dairy cows to help mitigate the circulation of H5N1 in dairy herds. Also supported legislative efforts to provide additional funding to support on-farm biosecurity initiatives. New World Screwworm - Supported the allocation of resources to help USDA combat NWS advancements to the southern border from Mexico. Supported the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act (H.R. 3915).
Advocated for appropriations funding of 2018 Farm Bill programs, including the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the Dairy Business Innovation program, the WIC program, conservation programs, broadband, and food aid. Supported appropriations provisions to expand the H-2A visa program for temporary agricultural workers to include dairy farms.
Anaerobic Digestion - Supported efforts at USDA to ensure existing Farm Bill energy programs provide adequate opportunities for the development of anaerobic digestion systems on dairy farms. Support efforts to expand flexibilities in and access to USDA's Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) while providing additional investments to help more farmers take advantage of the program. Supported RFS Electricity Pathway to make biogas eligible as a renewable fuel. Supported work to the development of the 45z tax credit revisions included in 2025 budget reconciliation to use sound science in developing a negative carbon intensity score for cattle manure used in biogas production.
Immigration Reform - Worked on efforts to reform immigration rules relating to agricultural workers. NMPF supports legislative efforts to ensure that dairy farmers can keep their existing workforce while also creating an effective mechanism to allow them to access new workers, including the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (HR 9535). NMPF also advocates for ensuring there are ag labor reforms either before or in conjunction with any other immigration reforms that may target farming operations as places of employment.
Labeling - Ensured food labeling is based on sound science. Dairy Standard of Identity - Supported efforts to require FDA to enforce the standard of identity for dairy products, including supporting the DAIRY PRIDE Act (S. 549 & H.R. 1462 in 118th Congress) and urging that FDA guidance require product labeling to follow existing dairy standards of identity. Supported REAL Butter Act (H.R. 9387). Food Safety - Monitored implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Raw Milk Sales - Opposed efforts facilitating the sale of raw milk. Natural Cheese - Supported the CURD Act (H.R. 1394, S. 184) to codify a definition for natural cheese.
Estate tax - Supported efforts to reform and repeal estate taxes. Engaged on implementation of the 45Z tax credit and related modeling efforts. Supported efforts to ensure that farmers can continue to use cash accounting. Supported implementation of relevant tax provisions of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Reconciliation legislation.
Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471 and H.R. 3372 in 118th Congress). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) to address dairy cargo break-in issues.
Provided information related to the following issues: Opposed misuse of Geographical Indications by European Union to impede trade and supported robust US tools to combat misuse of IP regulations in ways that restrict generic terms Advocated on the need to pursue new trade agreements and enforce existing ones Impacts on dairy industry of trading partner retaliation, current and potential Advocated for legislative and administration solutions to alleviate supply chain challenges hindering U.S. dairy exports Advocated on various bilateral trade issues impacting US dairy exports through regulations/policies in foreign markets Advocated against increasing reliance on foreign infant formula supply and for measures to further strengthen US production capacity. Advocated for continued funding for international food and nutrition assistance, as well as for export promotion funds.
EPA clean water rule - Supported efforts to finalize an effective, science-based rulemaking under the Clean Water Act. Conservation - Supported funding for farm bill conservation programs in appropriations process. Supported administrative actions to provide greater opportunity for dairy farmers to access EQIP and CSP. Feed additives - supported the Innovative FEED Act (H.R. 2203, S. 1906) to codify a regulatory pathway for reviewing animal feed ingredients that can reduce enteric methane emissions.
Supported efforts to provide relief for dairy farmers and milk haulers from truck weight limitations and hours of service rules, including the SHIP IT Act (H.R. 471 and H.R. 3372 in 118th Congress). Supported implementation of the DRIVE Safe Act to address the ongoing driver shortage facing many industries. Supported the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) to address dairy cargo break-in issues