2024 YC Dairy Policy & Legislative Forum

Young Cooperators

2024 DAIRY POLICY & LEGISLATIVE FORUM

COMMITTED TO AMERICA’S FARMERS & RURAL COMMUNITIES

At Farm Credit, we are dedicated to work in partnership with our customers—as we have for more than 100 years.

Farm Credit proudly sponsors the National Milk Producers Federation Young Cooperators Program.

Introduction

About the YC Program

The National Young Cooperators (YC) Program has provided training and leadership development opportunities to beginning dairy farmers for over 70 years. The program aims to provide producers with the education, tools and resources they need to improve their leadership skills, profitability and resilience through yearround virtual and in-person programming.

The National YC Program is managed by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and funded by its members and support from stakeholders including Farm Credit, Phibro Animal Health, Ever.Ag, Monument Advocacy and Cornerstone.

YC DAIRY POLICY & LEGISLATIVE FORUM SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

About Us

Sunday, June 2

4:00 – 5:00 PM Registration PLAZA A - LEVEL 1

5:00 – 6:00 PM Happy Hour SANTÉ AT THE RITZ-CARLTON PENTAGON CITY

Monday, June 3

7:00 – 8:00 AM Registration

SALON 3 FOYER - LEVEL 2

8:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast

SALON 2 - LEVEL 2

WITH REMARKS FROM HANNAH AND MATTHEW LANSING – NATIONAL YC PROGRAM CHAIRS, PRAIRIE FARMS INC.

9:00 – 9:30 AM

Navigating Dairy Policy: An Overview of NMPF

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

GREGG DOUD AND CHRIS GALEN, NMPF

After opening remarks from NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud, this session will provide all the background information you’ll need to know about the National Milk Producers Federation, including the organization’s mission, structure and distinct role within the agricultural and trade association realm. Discover how NMPF advocates for dairy farmers, shapes policy and stands out among similar organizations. During this session we’ll also learn about the National Young Cooperators Program and its role in developing farmer leaders. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastically emerging dairy leader, this session will offer a comprehensive understanding of NMPF’s pivotal role in the dairy landscape.

9:30 – 10:30 AM

Dairy Farmer Advocacy and Cooperative Strength

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

MODERATED BY PAUL BLEIBERG - NMPF; PANELISTS INCLUDE JAY BRYANT, MARYLAND & VIRGINIA MILK PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, ALEXA FOX, OFFICE OF REP. JIM COSTA AND JOHN WEBER, MONUMENT ADVOCACY

Featuring a diverse lineup of experts including a cooperative executive, a current Hill staffer and a former Hill staffer, this panel discussion will explore the vital role that advocacy plays in amplifying the voices of dairy farmers on

Capitol Hill. Young Cooperators will learn about relationship building, what makes a successful, memorable meeting and tips for how dairy farmers can most effectively communicate about their issues with lawmakers. Panelists will also share insights into the unique benefits that cooperatives offer in fostering collective strength amidst evolving industry challenges.

10:30 – 11:00 AM Break

11:00 – 11:30 AM What to Expect on Capitol Hill

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

TONY RICE, NMPF

Learn the basics of what to expect when visiting Capitol Hill to ensure you have a successful visit. This session will cover the appropriate attire for meetings, getting to and from Capitol Hill and suggested steps after a meeting. The session will also cover the suggested meeting format to empower Young Cooperators and Young Cooperators Coordinators to structure engagements effectively and maximize their time with policymakers.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Dairy Issues Rundown

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

PAUL BLEIBERG, MIQUELA HANSELMAN AND SHAWNA MORRIS, NMPF

Led by subject matter experts, this deep dive will set the stage for engaging discussions with members of Congress and their staffs during your Capitol Hill visits. Explore three key issues and gain valuable background information that will equip you with the knowledge and understanding needed to effectively communicate and advocate for dairy interests on Capitol Hill.

12:30 – 1:30 PM Lunch

1:30 – 2:15 PM

Using Personal Narratives to Drive Policy Change

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

MARY KNIGGE, DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA

This workshop will empower Young Cooperators with the skills to effectively communicate their life experiences and perspectives to lawmakers and their staffs, compelling them to support critical dairy issues. The session will offer practical insights and strategies for crafting narratives that resonate and inspire action. Through group activity, participants will learn to harness the power of storytelling to convey the real-world impact of policy decisions on their lives, businesses and local communities.

2:15 – 3:00 PM Practice Your Pitch

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

LED BY TONY RICE, NMPF

In this session, Young Cooperators will meet with the groups they’ll be joining for Hill visits to divide roles and responsibilities for their meetings. Participants will receive guidance and support from NMPF staff and Young

Cooperative Coordinators as they refine their storytelling and advocacy skills through mock meetings. The session will end with a Q&A segment, offering an opportunity for participants to glean insights and strategies from staff experts.

3:00 – 4:00 PM Break

3:00 – 3:30 PM Young Cooperators Coordinators Meeting BOARD ROOM

4:00 – 8:30 PM U.S. Capitol Tour, Reception and Dinner U.S. CAPITOL, OTHER HALF BREWING

Tuesday, June 4

8:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast

DIPLOMAT ROOM - LEVEL 1

9:00 – 9:30 AM

Capitol Hill Prep: Final Run-Through and Q&A

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

LED BY TONY RICE, NMPF

This final practice session will ensure you’re ready to make the most of your visit to Capitol Hill. Group leaders will walk through the schedule for your meetings to ensure everyone is briefed and comfortable with their roles. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to ask any lingering questions and gain valuable insights from NMPF staff during a Q&A segment.

9:30 – 10:00 AM

Advocacy from Home: Opportunities for Continued Involvement

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

PAUL HANSEN AND CHAD METZLER, LAND O’LAKES

The fun doesn’t stop here. There are many ways dairy farmers can influence policy, at all levels of government, from the comfort of your own home. During this session we’ll learn how to stay informed and engaged on dairy policy issues after leaving Washington, D.C.

10:00 – 10:30 AM Break

10:30 – 11:15 AM Fireside Chat with NMPF Board Member Doug Chapin

SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

MODERATED BY ALAN BJERGA, NMPF; DOUG CHAPIN, MICHIGAN MILK PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION

Join us for a conversation with Doug Chapin, chairman of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, as he shares his leadership journey and insights gained from navigating challenges along the way. Doug will share

about his involvement in NMPF leadership, discussing the breadth of his policy interests and contributions to the organization. Participants will gain valuable advice from Doug on forging successful careers, navigating leadership journeys and engaging in meaningful political involvement as young dairy farmer leaders.

11:15 – 11:30 AM Closing SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

KARL WEDEMEYER – NATIONAL YC PROGRAM VICE CHAIR, DFA

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Lunch SALON 3 FOYER

12:30 – 5:30 PM Hill Meetings

5:30 – 6:30 PM

NMPF Board of Directors Reception PLAZA BALLROOM - LEVEL 2

Wednesday, June 5

7:00 – 8:30 AM Breakfast

DIPLOMAT ROOM- LEVEL 1 WITH REP. KIM SCHRIER, D-WA

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM NMPF Board of Directors Meeting SALON 3 - LEVEL 2

12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch

DIPLOMAT ROOM- LEVEL 1

LEVEL ONE

LEVEL TWO

Speakers

Gregg Doud

President and Chief Executive Officer, NMPF

Gregg is NMPF’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Before arriving at NMPF he served as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from 2018 until 2021; before that, he served as the president of the Commodity Markets Council, representing commodities exchanges before Congress and federal agencies. He also has served as a staff member for the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, where he helped draft the 2012 Farm Bill.

Chris Galen

Senior Vice President of Member Services and Governance, NMPF

Chris is NMPF’s Senior Vice President of Member Services and Governance. Galen is responsible for ensuring that NMPF’s members derive value from that membership and that NMPF is effective in engaging other dairy, agricultural and food organizations. This includes overseeing the delivery of outstanding member services while also creating and strengthening relationships between the organization and other stakeholders nationwide. He previously served as NMPF’s communications lead from 1997 to 2018.

Paul Bleiberg

Executive Vice President of Government Relations, NMPF

Paul currently serves as Executive Vice President, Government Relations at NMPF. In this capacity, he leads the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts before Congress and works closely with various federal agencies. During his tenure at NMPF, Bleiberg has worked with the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to enact major dairy policy reforms, including the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, 2018 Farm Bill, and multiple COVID response packages.

Alexa

Fox

Senior Legislative Assistant, U.S. House of Representatives

Alexa is a senior legislative assistant at the U.S. House of Representatives, where she handles a diverse policy portfolio for Rep. Jim Costa, D-CA, that covers the congressman’s House Agriculture Committee work, as well as energy, environment, transportation and infrastructure, telecommunications and related appropriations. A Fresno, California native, Fox received her undergraduate degree from Fresno Pacific University and later, her Master of Science from American University in Washington, D.C.

Jay Bryant

CEO,

Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association

Jay is the Chief Executive Officer of the Maryland and Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative (MDVA). A native of Boonville, N.C., Jay grew up on his family’s 70-cow dairy farm. He entered the world of milk marketing as a field representative for Carolina-Virginia, and moved up the cooperative ladder. By 1997, he was named General Manager. He held that position until 1999 when Carolina-Virginia merged with MDVA. Jay served as the director of milk marketing for MDVA until 2002 when he was appointed CEO.

John Weber Principal, Monument Advocacy

John joins Monument after serving as Legislative Director for Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-SD, and as committee staff for the House Agriculture Committee under the leadership of Chairman Conaway. During his time on the Agriculture Committee, John negotiated the conservation, forestry, livestock, energy, and credit issues throughout the drafting of the 2018 Farm Bill. John brings a grassroots approach and understanding of agriculture policy through roots on his family’s cattle operation.

Tony Rice Director of Trade Policy, NMPF

As NMPF’s Trade Policy Director, Tony works with NMPF’s Trade Policy team to develop, implement and communicate NMPF’s work to support policies that promote U.S. dairy exports, seek removal of policies that impede those exports and address foreign barriers to U.S. dairy sales. NMPF does this work in concert with the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Tony also manages supply chain policy for both organizations. A native of a Pennsylvania dairy farm, Rice has a master’s degree in economics from Johns Hopkins University.

Shawna Morris

Executive

Vice President of Trade Policy and Global Affairs, NMPF

Shawna serves as Executive Vice President of Trade Policy and Global Affairs at NMPF. In this role she leads the organization’s efforts to advance beneficial dairy trade policies through work with the U.S. and foreign governments as well as with domestic and international allied organizations to maximize U.S. dairy export opportunities, promote a more balanced playing global field for the U.S. dairy sector, and address policy-related barriers to the sale of their dairy products around the world.

Miquela Hanselman Director of Regulatory Affairs, NMPF

Miquela is NMPF’s director of regulatory affairs, where she leads the organization’s regulatory-focused efforts on nutrition and public health, including the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. She also oversees NMPF’s efforts for the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments and the multi-sector Tuberculosis Working Group. She is the program lead for FARM Biosecurity, focused on protecting the health of dairy farmers’ herds and employees. Hanselman grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York.

Mary Knigge

Vice President of Government Relations, Dairy Farmers of America

Mary advocates on behalf of DFA’s farmer owners on Capitol Hill and with government agencies as the vice president of government relations for Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). In her current role, she aids DFA’s legislative affairs team in efforts to support dairy policy. Previously, Mary spent eight years working for House Agriculture Committee Chair and Ranking Member Collin Peterson where she was the lead staffer for the livestock subcommittee. Mary grew up on her family dairy in Omro, WI.

Rep. Marc Molinaro

United States Representative, NY-19

Congressman Marcus J. Molinaro was elected to serve New York’s 19th Congressional District in November 2022. A native New Yorker, former Mayor, State Assemblyman, and County Executive, Marc is a career problem solver who ran for Congress to make Upstate New York a better place to live, work, and raise a family. In Congress, Marc serves on the House Committee on Agriculture, House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, and the House Committee on Small Business.

Paul Hansen

Manager of Leader Development, Land O’Lakes Inc.

Paul leads Land O’Lakes’ Leader Development Program, which provides opportunities for cooperative members to gain new skills and experiences to prepare them for leadership roles. Prior to joining Land O’Lakes in 2015, Paul spent 16 years working for Cargill managing the development, engagement, budget, resource planning and project scoping for a global team. Hansen graduated in 1999 from Iowa State University with a degree in agriculture education after serving as a State FFA Officer for Iowa.

Chad Metzler

Director of Federal Government and Industry Relations, Land O’Lakes Inc.

Chad leads Land O’Lakes D.C. office, lobbying Capitol Hill and the agencies on Land O’Lakes federal priorities. He also keeps members and leadership abreast of the latest developments in government that could impact the business or our communities. He joined Land O’Lakes in November after a 27 year career in public service. Most of that was a Senate Legislative Director, but he spent the last two years at the White House Office of Legislative Affairs.

Alan Bjerga

Executive Vice President of Communications and Industry Relations, NMPF

Alan serves as Executive Vice President of Communications and Industry Relations, leading NMPF’s communications efforts with a focus on storytelling, media relations and marketing while expanding NMPF outreach to its members and the broader dairy industry. Bjerga previously worked at Bloomberg News as its lead writer on national farm-policy issues, covering topics including the Farm Bill, agricultural trade and rural economics.

Doug Chapin

Chairman, Michigan Milk Producers Association

Doug owns and operates Chapin Family Farms, a dairy farm in central Michigan, with his wife and son, milking 700 Holsteins with a great team of employees. He also serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors for Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), a farmer-owned cooperative and dairy processor serving over 1,000 dairy farmers in the Greak Lakes Region. Chapin represents MMPA on the NMPF Board of Directors, where he serves on the Economic Policy Committee.

Rep. Kim Schrier

United States Representative, WA-8

Congresswoman Kim Schrier represents Washington’s 8th Congressional District. Prior to being elected to Congress in 2018, Kim spent her career as a pediatrician, working with children across the Puget Sound region and helping families navigate the health care system. In Congress, Kim uses this expertise to inform her work on issues that improve the lives, health, and wellbeing of children. She is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which covers a wide variety of issues important to dairy.

Boost the Resilience of American Dairy Farms

Support Passage of the 2024 Farm Bill

ENACTMENT

OF THE 2024 FARM BILL WILL PROVIDE DAIRY FARMERS WITH THE CERTAINTY THEY NEED.

Congress has extended the 2018 Farm Bill until the end of 2024. The farm bill authorizes and funds numerous important priorities for dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own.

NMPF is pleased that Congress has taken steps toward enacting a bipartisan bill this year. The House Agriculture Committee approved its farm bill in late May, and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders in both parties are moving forward with frameworks. Enactment of an on-time farm bill will provide dairy producers with the certainty they need as they manage their risk and resources while seeking market opportunities at home and abroad.

Dairy Safety Net and Risk Management

Current dairy programs are vastly improved over past programs. The Dairy Margin Coverage program has performed as a strong safety net for dairy farmers during difficult times, offering affordable coverage that reflects producer challenges. NMPF supports continuing

the program and updating its production history levels to better reflect recent production. Dairy farmers of all sizes also now have access to crop insurance tools such as Dairy Revenue Protection and Livestock Gross Margin-Dairy. These programs give farmers the ability to customize their risk management.all farmers the ability to adapt their risk management to their needs.

18% EXPORTS ACCOUNT FOR 18% OF DAIRY PRODUCTION TODAY.

$20+ AMERICAN DAIRY RETURNS OVER $20 IN EXPORT REVENUE FOR EVERY $1 INVESTED.

13 DAIRY SERVES AS AN EXCELLENT SOURCE OF 13 ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS.

Conservation & Sustainability

Dairy producers are long-time environmental stewards who tend with great care to their land, water, and other natural resources. As a testament to dairy’s endeavors, research shows that producing a gallon of milk in 2017 required 30% less water, 21% less land, had a 19% smaller carbon footprint, and produced 20% less manure than in 2007. But we believe more can be done and have set industry-wide goals of becoming greenhouse gas neutral or better, improving water quality, and optimizing water use by 2050. NMPF supports programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which boosts dairy farmers’ ongoing proactive efforts relating to feed and manure management.

Trade Promotion

Today, exports account for roughly 17% of dairy production and are likely to comprise an even greater share as global dairy demand continues to grow. Trade promotion programs like the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development

Program promote American-made dairy and agriculture products that compete with heavily subsidized foreign products, returning well over $20 in export revenue for every one dollar invested in the programs. NMPF supports doubling funding for both programs to better promote U.S. dairy products worldwide. NMPF also supports language to counter harmful trade barriers by establishing a robust new process for safeguarding common food and beverage names, including common cheese names, in international markets.

Nutrition

Dairy farmers appreciate the enduring connection between agriculture and nutrition. Dairy is a nutrition powerhouse, serving as an excellent source of 13 essential nutrients, but continues to be under consumed according to the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is vital to linking the food we produce as farmers to families across the country facing difficult circumstances.

Milk Production

Support American Dairy Farmers' Trade Priorities

Dismantle Trade Barriers and Secure

New Market Access to Foster Continued Export Growth, and Join the Congressional Agriculture Trade Caucus.

TRADE AGREEMENTS ARE A CRITICAL MECHANISM FOR DISMANTLING TRADE BARRIERS AND SECURING MARKET ACCESS.

17 percent

IN 2023, THE U.S. DAIRY INDUSTRY EXPORTED OVER $8 BILLION IN DAIRY PRODUCTS OVERSEAS, EQUIVALENT TO 17% OF TOTAL U.S. MILK PRODUCTION.

Exports play an indispensable role in supporting America’s dairy farmers and processing manufacturing jobs across the country.

Today, one-sixth of all U.S. milk is sold commercially around the world in a broad spectrum of dairy products. When exports increase, the entire dairy supply chain benefits.

U.S. trade agreements have played an indispensable role in increasing U.S. dairy exports. For decades, they have enabled U.S. dairy exporters to compete on a more level playing field with international competitors in terms of tariff access, removal of non-tariff barriers and clear and consistent rules for trade.

Maintaining trade relationships and expanding market access for U.S. dairy products is vital to the strength and continued growth of the domestic dairy industry. The U.S. facing tough competition in global dairy markets from companies in the EU and Oceania. We need to level the playing field by improving market access in key countries and regions, including the UK, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East.

Lawmakers need to level the playing field by improving market access in key countries and regions, including the UK, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East; and enforce existing U.S. trade agreements to ensure U.S. dairy farmers and processors reap the deal’s full benefits.

10+ years

THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT CONCLUDED A COMPREHENSIVE, MARKETOPENING TRADE AGREEMENT IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

52 percent

IN 2023, OVER 52% OF AMERICAN DAIRY EXPORTS BY VALUE WERE TO MARKETS WITH A U.S. FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.

Key Points

Join the Congressional Agriculture Trade Caucus

Balance

DESPITE STEADY GROWTH IN DOMESTIC DAIRY CONSUMPTION, ON-FARM PRODUCTIVITY GAINS CONTINUE TO EXPAND AT A FASTER RATE. EXPORTS FILL THE GAP AND ENSURE MARKET BALANCE FOR U.S. DAIRY FARMERS.

Opportunity

THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET IS GROWING AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE DOMESTIC MARKET. OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, GLOBAL DAIRY TRADE GREW ON AVERAGE BY 3.8% PER YEAR ON A MILK SOLIDS EQUIVALENT BASIS.

Demand

CUSTOMERS AROUND THE WORLD CONTINUE TO DEMAND MORE HIGHQUALITY, NUTRITIOUS DAIRY PRODUCTS EVERY YEAR, A NEED THAT U.S. DAIRY FARMERS AND THEIR COOPERATIVES ARE WELL POSITIONED TO MEET.

To help support American dairy farmers’ priorities on trade, we ask that you consider joining the Caucus.

The bipartisan Congressional Agriculture Trade Caucus is dedicated to advancing trade policies that benefit farmers, ranchers, producers, processors, rural communities and every participant in the food and agricultural supply chain.

The Caucus’ efforts focus on educating Members of Congress and advocating for policies that enhance international competitiveness, expand market access, address non-tariff barriers to trade, optimize supply chains, and restore U.S. leadership in global trade.

By promoting free trade, the Caucus works to open new doors for American agricultural products, creating more

opportunities for U.S. farmers and processors to thrive in a competitive global marketplace. Increased trade boosts farm revenue, supports rural jobs, and strengthens America’s economic foundation.

Congressional Agriculture Caucus Co-chairs include Rep. Adrian Smith, R-NE, Rep. Jim Costa, D-CA, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-SD, and Jimmy Panetta, D-CA.

To promote and increase free trade, the Caucus will work to advance and promote policies vital to U.S. agriculture; boost ag exports; facilitate food and agriculture trade; and knock down unnecessary trade barriers.

Please contact Chance Hunley at Chance.Hunley@mail.house.gov in Rep. Johnson’s office to join.

Protect Consumers with Clear and Accurate Dairy Labeling

Cosponsor the DAIRY PRIDE Act (S. 549 & H.R. 1462)

PLANT-BASED IMITATORS’ USE OF DAIRY TERMS LIKE “MILK” FALSELY CONVEYS A NUTRITIONAL EQUIVALENCY WITH REAL DAIRY.

When enforced, FDA standards of identity help promote marketplace transparency and inform consumers about the products they purchase.

When not enforced, manufacturers can mislabel their products, providing consumers false or misleading product information. Current FDA standards of identity define dairy products as being from dairy animals, but FDA does not enforce its own regulations, and the misuse of the terms “milk,” “yogurt,” and “cheese” by dairy imitators has increased dramatically.

Consumers know that dairy products provide key nutrients essential for healthy child development and adult health. As expected, plant-based imitators’ use of dairy terms like “milk” falsely conveys a nutritional equivalency with real dairy, with data showing consumer confusion about the nutrients in their food. In fact, a 2018 IPSOS survey found that 73% of consumers surveyed believe that almond-based beverages have as much or more protein per serving than milk, even though milk actually has eight times as much protein.

By not enforcing dairy standards of identity, FDA has permitted misleading labeling and advertising for decades, thereby allowing the development of serious consumer misperceptions. These misperceptions and consumer confusion hinder people’s ability to make informed, healthy choices.

73% OF CONSUMERS BELIEVE THAT ALMOND-BASED BEVERAGES HAVE AS MUCH OR MORE PROTEIN PER SERVING THAN MILK.

8x

MILK HAS EIGHT TIMES AS MUCH PROTEIN AS ALMOND-BASED BEVERAGES.

The Solution

Enforce

THE DAIRY PRIDE ACT REQUIRES FDA TO ENFORCE DAIRY FOOD LABELING STANDARDS.

Guide

FDA MUST ISSUE GUIDANCE FOR NATIONWIDE ENFORCEMENT OF MISLABELED IMITATION DAIRY PRODUCTS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), have voiced concerns over the harm this confusion is having on public health as misinformed consumers unintentionally choose less nutritious products for themselves and their families. In fact, the AAP and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition both filed formal comments raising these concerns and making strong recommendations that dairy standards of identity be enforced in the name of protecting public health.

The Solution: DAIRY PRIDE Act

FDA should do its job to ensure the American people have the information they need to make informed, meaningful choices about their health and the health of their families. Unfortunately, FDA has shown with its recently issued guidance that it will not enforce its own dairy standards of identity. Instead, FDA’s guidance allows some imitation products to continue using dairy

terms, encouraging them to voluntarily disclose their nutritional inferiority. By not enforcing, FDA is again failing to address the underlying cause of the consumer confusion—imitators misusing dairy terms—and it is clear that Congress must act to get FDA to do the job done correctly. The bipartisan, bicameral DAIRY PRIDE Act requires FDA to enforce dairy food labeling standards and is a commonsense solution to growing concerns about consumer deception and injury to public health.

Under this legislation, foods making inaccurate claims about milk content would be considered “misbranded” and subject to enforcement. The DAIRY PRIDE Act also requires FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of mislabeled imitation dairy products within 90 days and to report to Congress two years after enactment to ensure FDA is held accountable for its enforcement obligations.

Visit www.nmpf.org to learn more.

FDA WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO CONGRESS TWO YEARS AFTER THE DAIRY PRIDE ACT IS ENACTED TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY.

Upcoming Events

YCs at World Dairy Expo

October 3, 2024 Madison, Wisconsin

YC Leadership and Development Program

October 20-23, 2024 Phoenix, Arizona