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Klobuchar Successful in Supporting Minnesota Farmers Facing Dairy Crisis Facing Dairy Crisis

USDA Secretary announces steps Klobuchar pushed for to stem decline of milk prices to stem decline of milk prices

July 7, 2009

Washington, D.C. – With the price of milk and dairy products falling sharply in the past year U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar commended the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) after it announced initial allocations under the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP).  The program helps level the playing field for U.S. dairy producers and helps counteract abrupt price drops by removing excess supply in the market.

“Farmers are especially vulnerable during these tough economic times,” said Klobuchar.  “Across Minnesota, dairy farmers are struggling as a result of this economic crisis.  This is an important step in helping provide targeted support to stabilize prices and help dairy farmers who are hurting.”

Klobuchar is committed to helping Minnesota’s dairy farmers.  In February, she joined with several other Senators in sending a letter to Secretary Vilsack asking him to take action to help stabilize prices and protect Minnesota’s farmers from the rapidly declining milk prices.  Klobuchar also met with nearly 75 dairy farmers in a packed room at Freddie's Restaurant in Mora, Minnesota in late February to hear about the impact of declining dairy prices.   

In March, at a White House Middle-Class Task Force meeting in St. Cloud, Klobuchar strongly urged the Agriculture Secretary to provide help to Minnesota dairy farmers as soon as possible.  Shortly after the meeting, Klobuchar announced that the USDA would create a program to purchase dairy products from the market and provide them to food shelf programs in order to stabilize prices and boost demand.

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