IDFA would like to thank the countless member representatives who worked exceptionally hard to help gain the passage of the Goodlatte-Scott amendment last week. Whether companies offered valuable grassroots support at the local level or representatives traveled to Washington for one, two or several Capitol Hill visits to lobby directly with congressmen, IDFA appreciates these steadfast efforts throughout the Farm Bill debate.

IDFA members wrote and called their representatives and scores of executives attended Washington Conference last week, making more than 160 visits to Capitol Hill during the heat of the House floor debate. Visit C-SPAN to watch the video of the 27-minute debate.

IDFA also thanks the many, many organizations at the state, regional and national levels that were part of the coalition and actively supported passage of the amendment. IDFA would like to acknowledge specially the National Restaurant Association, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Food Marketing Institute for their extraordinary lobbying efforts on behalf of the amendment.  

IDFA also appreciates the solid support from consumer groups that sent letters to Capitol Hill and taxpayer groups that effectively encouraged their members to become and remain engaged.  As it turned out, the amendment enjoyed support all across the food chain, from the nation’s second-largest dairy cooperative and other producers, to food manufacturers and food retailers, to restaurants and all the way to dairy consumers.     

“We couldn’t have accomplished the resounding success – passing with more than a two-thirds majority – without the unwavering support of so many people, companies and organizations,” said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president of legislative policy and economic affairs. “Although no one really knows where the Farm Bill may be headed next, we do know that the vote on this amendment sent a strong bipartisan message that revenue insurance for dairy farmers is fully supported, but not programs designed to limit milk supplies and increase dairy prices.

He added, “We especially thank the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for recognizing that the Dairy Security Act included a program that would have lost thousands of American jobs. We appreciate their efforts to work with industry to strip this job-killing program from the Farm Bill. They helped to build the momentum we needed to turn the tide toward the Goodlatte-Scott amendment.” 

Here is the list of organizations opposed to dairy supply management.