Source: United States Senator for Vermont Patrick Leahy
WASHINGTON – Rep. Peter Welch (VT-AL) led a group of lawmakers in a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging the agency to respond to the recommendations of the Northeast Dairy Task Force as quickly as possible. The Task Force was established in response to Danone’s announcement that it would terminate contracts with 89 organic dairy farms in the Northeast, leaving many of the region’s organic farms without a buyer and placing them at risk of closure. The Task Force issued numerous recommendations to improve organic dairy viability in the Northeast, many of which can be directly addressed through USDA support.
“When Danone/Horizon announced their intent to end their contracts with 89 organic dairy farms in the Northeast, 27 organizations came together to create the Northeast Dairy Task Force and provide recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on ways to help the organic dairy industry. Despite the recent announcement that Danone will be providing further assistance to impacted farmers, the underlying structural threats to organic dairy in the Northeast remain and urgent action is needed,” the letter read. The letter further asks that Secretary Vilsack respond to the Task Force without delay and to fully utilize existing USDA resources, initiatives, and authorities to implement the Task Force’s recommendations.
Rep. Welch was joined by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rep. Jared F. Golden (R-ME), Sen. Angus King (I-ME), Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
To read the full text of the letter, please click here.