We urge the state to adopt and fund a new program to support the viability of dairy farms similar to programs adopted in other northeast states. ‘06
We support funding in the state budget for the Dairy Farm Nutrient and Business Management Initiative. '99
We support full funding of the Regional Dairy Quality Management Alliance Research Project. ’05
We support the Maryland Dairy Industry Association as long as the membership is voluntary.’06
Milk Marketing
We support the efforts of the Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Milk Marketing Agency in negotiating over order pricing for milk. '97
We support proposed Maryland legislation that would institute fair trade regulations for dairy products. This legislation would combat current predatory marketing practices from processors protected by similar legislation in adjacent states by giving the Secretary of Agriculture the regulatory authority to establish minimum prices received by farmer producers, wholesalers and retailers. The Secretary should exercise this authority in consultation with an advisory committee. We suggest that any proposed legislation include a sunset provision to allow for a legislative review of a program. '00
We support legislation enabling Maryland to join a regional Dairy Compact establishing an interstate fluid milk pricing system. '97
We support giving the Maryland fluid milk processors the right to establish their own sell-by-period, provided they submit to the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene an indicator shelf-life study which shows that the dairy products have a shelf-life equal to the sell-by date plus an additional seven days. '02
We believe schools should not sell milk to students after the sell-by date. ’06
We support the continuation of the cooperative promotion efforts of the dairy farmers in the State of Maryland.
Dairy Inspection & Regulation
We recommend moving the milk control and inspection program responsibilities from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. '00
We oppose new or increased fees for dairy farmers, haulers and cooperatives. '04
We support current Maryland Law for the prohibition of raw milk sales. We support legislation that would prohibit the use of cattle-share or farm-share agreements as a means to circumvent existing raw milk sales laws. ’06
Maryland should allow farmers to produce and process raw milk cheese on their farms and sell it from the farm after the federally required 60 day aging period. ‘06