Policy Thursday

Provide Your Feedback on Fake Milk

National Milk’s Chris Galen joins us to discuss the public comment period for FDA’s guidance of plant based labels. Dairy advocates may learn more about the issue and offer comments here. Galen also updated us on legislation called DAIRY PRIDE, an acronym for the Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act.

 

 

Dairy Pride Act Would Help End Consumer Confusion

The National Milk Producers Federation commended a bipartisan group of senators for re-introducing the DAIRY PRIDE Act, which would end the problem of consumer confusion of the nutritional content of plant-based beverages the Food and Drug Administration took inadequate steps to remedy last week.

FDA is accepting comments on its draft guidance until April 24. Meanwhile, DAIRY PRIDE introduction in the House of Representatives is expected within weeks. NMPF’s Chris Galen gave Dairy Radio Now listeners an update from our nation’s capital:

 

Holding Canada Responsible For Trade Violations

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) commended a recent announcement that the U.S. Trade Representative has formally moved to advance a U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute settlement proceeding and establish a second panel to determine whether Canada has been in violation of its market access obligations under the agreement. NMPF’s Chris Galen tells us about it on today’s Dairy Radio Now:

 

Farmer Angel Network

Farming is a uniquely stressful occupation, and farmer mental-health needs tend to be underserved, said Loganville, WI dairy farmer Randy Roecker in the latest Dairy Defined podcast. Roecker, a board member for Foremost Farms USA, is a co-founder of the Farmer Angel Network, a Wisconsin organization that helps support farmers’ mental health needs.  More info about the Farmer Angel Network here: https://www.farmerangelnetwork.com/

 

U.S. To Host World Dairy Summit

The International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit brings unique opportunities for U.S. dairy as the host nation for the Chicago event, to be held next Oct. 16-19. The global conference returns to the United States for the first time in three decades, at a moment when rising exports and world-leading sustainability gives the U.S. industry a great story to tell, according to three leaders in organizing next year’s events. Listen Here to the NMPF Dairy Defined Podcast


Joint Annual Meeting Approaching

The 2022 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Board, the National Milk Producers Federation and the United Dairy Industry Association is approaching quickly, October 23-26, at the beautiful new Gaylord Rockies Resort, which is just a few minutes from the Denver International airport. NMPF’s Chris Galen gave Dairy Radio Now listeners a preview:


Trade Win Over Canada

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) celebrated a landmark decision published this week which found Canada is improperly restricting access to its market for U.S. dairy products in violation of its U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) commitments. NMPF’s Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on what this means for the U.S. dairy industry moving forward:


DMC Signups Begin Monday

The National Milk Producers Federation is urging farmers to sign up for maximum coverage in 2022 under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, which USDA announced will open for enrollment from Monday, Dec. 13, through Feb. 18. This year’s DMC signup is accompanied by new enhancements that make the program even more valuable for producers seeking protection against unforeseen market risks. NMPF’s Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on Thursday’s broadcast:


Make Every Drop Count

The dairy community will soon be gathering at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas Nov. 14-17 for the 2021 NMPF annual meeting, held in conjunction with the national dairy checkoff organizations overseen by Dairy Management Inc.  With a theme of “Make Every Drop Count,” this year’s event will examine how dairy’s policy and promotion organizations work together globally to build markets for dairy products. The annual meeting website has more information. NMPF’s Chris Galen gives Dairy Radio Now listeners a preview:


Gallagher Steps Down As CEO

Dairy Management Inc. announced that Tom Gallagher has decided to conclude his 30-year tenure as CEO to devote more time to teaching and other opportunities. Barbara O’Brien, President of DMI and CEO of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, has been named by the board of directors as the next CEO. For information about the dairy checkoff, visit www.usdairy.com.

Proposed Spending Bill Goes To House

The House Appropriations Committee proposes a spending bill for fiscal ’22 that includes a wide variety of assistance and programs. Chris Galen, Sr. VP of Membership Services and Strategic Initiatives with the National Milk Producers Federation gave us an update on today’s Dairy Radio Now:


Working With New Administration

In a recent meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, and NMPF’s Chairman Randy Mooney offered to closely collaborate with Ambassador Tai and the entire Biden Administration on trade in order to strengthen the health of the U.S. dairy industry to allow for further expansion of the hundreds of thousands of dairy-reliant jobs across the country. NMPF’s Chris Galen tells us more on today’s Dairy Radio Now:


Dairy Farmers Are Environmental Leaders

Through commitments like the Net Zero Initiative and efforts like the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, dairy farmers are well-positioned to be agricultural leaders in mitigating climate change, said Dr. Jamie Jonker, NMPF’s Vice President for Sustainability and Scientific Affairs, in an NMPF podcast .


Dairy Industry Looks Beyond 2020

Far-reaching dairy sustainability goals go hand-in-hand with economic opportunity for dairy farmers, according to Krysta Harden, executive vice president, global environmental strategy, for Dairy Management Inc. and Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, in an NMPF podcast: