Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839
Madison – Governor Scott Walker and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a joint letter to President Donald J. Trump today urging him to address Canada’s protectionist dairy trade policies. The move comes as dozens of Wisconsin dairy farms will be without buyers for their milk production beginning May 1, 2017.
“Wisconsin and New York dairy farmers are only the first victims of Canada’s illicit dairy trade restrictions,” Governors Walker and Cuomo wrote. “Nearly one year ago, we, along with other state and U.S. dairy officials, warned our federal partners – and Canadian industry and government representatives at all levels – that protectionist regulations would harm U.S. dairy producers. We look forward to working with you to maintain trade policies that help sustain farm families in future generations and preserve a way of life that is the backbone of our American culture and values.”
Recently, Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Secretary Ben Brancel joined New York Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball to urge the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide assistance for the farmers who will be impacted by purchasing cheese and butter and distributing it through the USDA’s nutritional aid programs.
Wisconsin’s more than 9,000 dairy farms provide nearly 80,000 jobs and generate $43.4 billion in economic impact annually.
A copy of the letter to President Trump is attached.
