James M. Jeffords: “today, I rise today to express my support for the Dairy Consumers and Producers Protection Act of 2001, important…”

“today, I rise today to express my support for the Dairy Consumers and Producers Protection Act of 2001, important legislation that would re-authorized and expand the Northeast Dairy Compact, and ratify a Southern Compact. Growing support and recognition of the effectiveness and ingenuity of the Northeast Dairy Compact has led twenty-five States to enact compact legislation. These States now look to Congress to grant them the right to join the Northeast Compact, or to form a Southern Compact. It is critical that we keep pace with the demands of State governments, and provide them with the authority to develop a regional pricing mechanism for Class I (fluid) milk. Farmers across our Nation face radically different conditions and factors of production. Differences in climate, transportation, feed, energy and land value validate the need for regional pricing. Compacts allow States to address these differences and create a price level that is appropriate for producers, processors, retailers, and consumers.”