The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“CONSOLIDATION OF MILK MARKETING ORDERS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1959 on Sept. 24, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONSOLIDATION OF MILK MARKETING ORDERS
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speech of
HON. BILL LUTHER
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 22, 1999
The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1402) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to implement the Class I milk price structure known as Option 1A as part of the implementation of the final rule to consolidate Federal milk marketing orders:
Mr. LUTHER. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1402, legislation to consolidate Federal Milk Marketing Orders. I grew up on a small, family dairy farm near Fergus Falls, Minnesota and understand how the current antiquated dairy pricing system discriminates against the family farms in the Midwest. In 1996, this Congress passed the Freedom to Farm Act, legislation that seriously affected American family farmers. Freedom to Farm has not worked out as its authors had said it would, but part of the bill called for a more market-oriented dairy pricing system. In other words, the Freedom to Farm Act encouraged the Department of Agriculture to do exactly what it has proposed: develop a pricing system that does not penalize Midwestern states.
For too long, farmers in Minnesota and other states in the Upper Midwest have suffered from unfair dairy prices. Instead of correcting this problem, H.R. 1402 forces us to remain in this regime. This bill also forces us to maintain a price support system that jeopardizes our ability to negotiate international trade agreements for agricultural products. Before we can make progress on trade issues, we must set an example by moving toward a market-oriented dairy pricing system. I encourage my colleagues to reject the old way of doing things in Washington, support regional equity in the dairy industry and vote against the legislation before us today.
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