The state of Kentucky has created a state milk commission. The legislation was signed into law by Governor Steve Beshear on March 24.
The next step is for Beshear to make appointments, which he is required to do by Aug. 1.
The commission will be composed of consumers, retailers, processors, handlers or cooperative representative, producers and a representative from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Human services, who is knowledgeable of the Women, Infant and Children Program. The commission will be led by the Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture or a non-voting designee. The Kentucky Dairy Development Council will also have a non-voting representative on the commission, said Maury Cox, executive director of the Kentucky Dairy Development Council.
“The commission will serve the interest of the consumer. The milk commission will look at issues which affect all sectors of the industry and seek solutions for all to win. By stabilizing the state’s dairy industry, Kentucky consumers’ money will be going to local economies and dairy producers in Fleming, Hart, Barren and other counties across the state,” Cox said. “Otherwise more and more money will be going to other states such as Michigan, Northern Indiana, Ohio and Texas and also into the atmosphere from burning more diesel fuel to haul the milk here. According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, one direct job on the local dairy farm generates 2.5 additional jobs in town. One dollar generated from the local farm turns over seven times in a community.”
The commission will not have the authority to set prices on milk or dairy products.
“However, it has the opportunity to look at all aspects of milk prices as it relates to the different segments of the industry and give a report on their findings,” Cox said. “It can collect information on the cost of transporting milk used in Kentucky and make recommendations to minimize those costs. It has the authority to look to other states and regions and give recommendations on solutions others have determined to work. It has the potential to recommend creative economic incentives which would stabilize and grow the production and processing sectors of the industry, many of which are presently available to other industries, but not to medium or small size agricultural operations.”