The road to the milk pricing transparency provided by Pennsylvania House Bill 1265 has been a lonely one for the state’s dairy farmers. Many of the farm groups and organizations, which supposedly exist to serve and represent the interests of farmers, have chosen to remain silent and not take a position. Some groups, such as PennAg Industries Association, have even taken the official position of opposing this bill.
Supporting simple transparency over the current secrecy regarding payment of the state-mandated over-order premium by dairy cooperatives would seem to be a no-brainer, benefiting both farmers and consumers. However, extensive lobbying efforts by the self-serving management of some of these co-ops have confused the leadership of many agricultural organizations.
This is why it was so gratifying to farmers across the state when the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) adopted the official position of supporting HB 1265 at their annual meeting last November. This adoption of policy was followed by a resounding press release in support by PFB President and fellow dairy farmer Rick Ebert, saying, “The legislation would simply allow farmers to know how much of the PMMB-mandated premium they are receiving.”
However, after successful passage in the House of Representatives on the heels of PFB’s endorsement last December, HB 1265 has been gasping for air, locked away in the desk of Senate Ag Committee Chairman Elder Vogel. Interestingly, Vogel is the top recipient of political contributions from PennAg, receiving $7,000 for his unopposed re-election campaign this year. Where has PFB, the state’s most powerful grassroots legislative farm organization, been with their support of HB 1265 for the past six months? The silence has been deafening.
Only due to the incessant efforts of several dedicated individuals has Vogel finally allowed a hearing on HB 1265 as part of a broader discussion of dairy issues at Pennsylvania Ag Progress Days on Aug. 17. A strong show of support at this public event would do much to inform and educate legislators on the simplicity of and need for this common-sense bill. Couldn’t Pennsylvania Farm Bureau help to facilitate this support?
All Pennsylvania agriculture-based organizations depend on the success of the state’s farmers. PennAg has clearly turned their back on these farmers by opposing transparency both through their policy and their actions. Thankfully, Farm Bureau has supported Pennsylvania dairy farmers with their policy. Will they follow with their actions? PD
Mike Eby
Chairman, National Dairy Producers Organization
459 Queen Road
Gordonville, PA 17529
