National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) applauded the passing of the new negotiated Farm Bill in the House and the Senate this week. The bill contains a package of programs that improves farm policy and benefits dairy producers according to NMPF, who also has a summary of the Farm Bill’s dairy-related provisions.
The House passed the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 by a margin of 318 to 106 on Wednesday, more than the two-thirds majority necessary to override a threatened presidential veto of the legislation. The Senate passed the farm bill conference legislation Thursday by a veto-proof margin of 81-15.
“The lengthy struggle to pass a new Farm Bill makes this outcome all the more rewarding for our members who worked mightily during the past two years to improve existing agricultural policy,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “Rather than extend the status quo or revert to the past, the Farm Bill moves us toward a new and better day on thousands of dairy farms of all sizes across America.”
He said that the new bill strengthens the dairy farmer safety net, allocates additional resources for conservation, environmental and renewable energy programs, improves the nation’s animal health infrastructure, and adds needed dollars for consumer nutrition programs.
Kozak applauded the bipartisan efforts of both the House and Senate during the conference committee process, and urged the White House to forgo its pledge to veto the legislation.