FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Marti Hogan
(202) 220-3535
mhogan@idfa.org

(Washington, D.C. – April 12, 2018) The International Dairy Foods Association issued the following statement by Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO, regarding the release today of the House Committee on Agriculture’s proposed text for the 2018 Farm Bill.

“The International Dairy Foods Association applauds House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, for including key provisions for dairy in the chairman’s 2018 Farm Bill that was released today. IDFA represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports nearly 3 million jobs, generates more than $39 billion in direct wages and has an overall economic impact of more than $200 billion.

“IDFA worked closely with colleagues at the National Milk Producers Federation to unite behind shared solutions for dairy that are reflected in Chairman Conaway’s farm bill.

“We’re hopeful that our collaborative efforts will help to smooth the passage of a farm bill that includes provisions designed to enhance risk management options for dairy processors and producers and establish a retailer incentive program in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, that includes fluid milk.

“In addition, we commend House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., for introducing legislation this week that would allow dairy producers, cooperatives and processors to better manage the price risk for milk. Congressman Peterson also has worked to help the dairy industry, and his bill demonstrates solid support for the shared solutions offered by IDFA and NMPF.

“IDFA’s members are committed to ensuring that members of Congress understand the importance of these provisions to the nearly 3 million Americans in jobs supported by the dairy industry and to the overall health of the U.S. economy.”

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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports nearly 3 million jobs, generates more than $39 billion in direct wages and has an overall economic impact of more than $200 billion. IDFA is the umbrella organization for the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA).

Our members range from large multinational organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Our diverse membership includes numerous food retailers, suppliers and companies that offer infant formula and a wide variety of milk-derived ingredients. Visit IDFA at www.idfa.org.