1999 Assembly Joint Resolution 36
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Daniel Glickman to act quickly in distributing to farmers $200 million in aid.
Whereas, Wisconsin's agricultural heritage is based on family farms, and in honor of the hard work and contributions made to our economy by Wisconsin dairy farm families we proudly refer to our state as "America's Dairyland"; and
Whereas, Wisconsin's dairy industry impacts over 133,000 workers throughout the state, with a gross economic impact of over $4.9 billion to our state's economy; and
Whereas, the monthly fluctuations and unpredictability of the market have made it difficult for family dairy farms to remain viable businesses, and in 1998 alone Wisconsin lost 1,200 dairy farms; and
Whereas, recently farmers enjoyed higher prices for their products; however, actions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have led to the dairy price drop of $6 per hundred weight, which has again increased financial pressures on our dairy farmers; and
Whereas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been unwilling to change its milk pricing system based on how far from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the farm is located; and
Whereas, a lawsuit initiated in Minnesota had this current pricing system thrown out; and
Whereas, the failure by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement a fair pricing policy for the upper Midwest, while at the same time allowing for the Northeast Dairy Compact, which allows the New England states to price their milk higher to the disadvantage of the upper Midwest, has hurt Wisconsin dairy farmers; and
Whereas, the Dairy Income Loss Assistance Program will provide some help to dairy farmers, with assistance calculated on not more than production of 150 head of cattle per farm operation; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the Wisconsin legislature urges U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Daniel Glickman to act quickly in distributing to farmers $200 million in aid through the Dairy Income Loss Assistance Program, fully utilize his authority to hasten and increase purchases of dairy products for federal nutrition programs, and use his full authority to increase dairy exports under the Dairy Export Incentive Program; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall send copies of this joint resolution to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Glickman and to each member of the congressional delegation from this state.
