[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 133 (Friday, October 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FARM SECURITY ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 4, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2646) to 
     provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through 
     fiscal year 2011:


  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the amendment offered by 
my colleague from Pennsylvania, Representative Sherwood to permanently 
extend the Northeast Dairy Compact.
  Furthermore, I am distressed that this amendment was unable to 
receive a waiver from the Judiciary Committee, and thus will not 
receive an up or down vote.
  New York's dairy farmers, which make up 60 percent of our 
agricultural base in my home State, have been cut out of this 
legislation. Producers and their organizations have been concerned 
about the viability of the dairy industry in the northeastern States 
for several years.
  Declining herd and cattle numbers, combined with drought and 
fluctuating market prices, have lead to a loss of infrastructure and 
revenue for our New York dairy farmers. Our farmers continue to 
experience a reduction in farm income including the loss of at least 
$200 million annually.
  Our dairy farmers are relying on their inclusion in the Northeast 
Dairy Compact, to provide them with stability in pricing. However, that 
measure is not only missing from this legislation, it was not even 
permitted to be discussed. Time and time again, our Nation's dairy 
farmers have had to face the challenges of nature and an unstable 
market.
  In response to these challenges, these distressed dairy farmers 
looked to the Congress to provide them with a crucial milk price safety 
net, by extending the Northeast Dairy Compact, and offering the 
preferred milk pricing structure.
  Accordingly, along with my colleagues from New York and throughout 
the region, I anticipated the opportunity to respond to our farmers by 
negotiating for the inclusion of favorable dairy language in this 
legislation. However, this opportunity was not afforded to us.
  Finally, I urge the full committee to work toward the inclusion of 
the Northeast Dairy Compact during negotiations in the conference.

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