Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture who is also serving as the chairman of the Farm Bill Conference Committee, has come out in opposition to the Dairy Market Stabilization Program that was soundly rejected by the House of Representatives by a vote of 291-135. 

Although Lucas voted against the amendment during floor consideration, he told a group of faculty members at Texas Tech University that the House “is on record” as stating that the dairy title should not include supply management or supply control. Lucas added that he does not support the supply management component included in the language passed by the Senate.

“We are pleased to hear that Chairman Lucas has indicated his opposition to this controversial new program that is designed to artificially raise milk prices,” said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president of legislative affairs and economic policy.  “Chairman Lucas wants to get a Farm Bill passed by Congress this year, and he knows that it will be hard, if not impossible, to accomplish that goal if the final bill includes a program that was soundly defeated by an overwhelming bipartisan vote.”

Conference committee members are expected to meet again next week.

For more information, contact Slominski at jslominski@idfa.org.