Ohioans have spoken and clearly understand that a board of experts is the appropriate entity to make decisions on behalf of animal agriculture and food production in our state.
ODPA supports milk labeling rules that are more stringent than federal guidelines and was pleased that Ohio Department of Agriculture issued its dairy labeling ruling in 2008. Unfortunately, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the Organic Trade Association (OTA) filed a lawsuit against the State of Ohio challenging Ohio’s labeling regulation.
As part of their lawsuit, IDFA and OTA demanded payment of nearly $1.3 million from ODA for their attorney and litigation fees. ODA recently agreed to withdraw their dairy labeling rule if IDFA and OTA drop their $1.3 million claim from this multi-year court battle.
ODPA recognizes that the $1.3 million claim is unacceptable for Ohioans to pay at a time when State funds are limited. Although disappointed,
ODPA respects ODA’s decision to withdraw the rule and is confident that ODA will continue to address false and misleading labels that disparage one dairy product versus another through existing FDA rules.
ODPA believes that the sales of raw milk should be banned at all levels. It is currently banned at the interstate commerce, but still permitted under the intra sate level. It is simply a matter of food safety.
ODPA works closely with NMPF on immigration reform. Immigrant labor plays a very important role in contributing to the success of America's dairy industry. www.nmpf.org
Click here to read ODPA’s most recent communication to the US Department of Labor on this important issue.
For the latest on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), visit the NMPF website.
www.nmpf.org
USDA statistics indicate that such a permit requirement would include 99 percent of milk production, more than 90 percent of beef production and more than 95 percent of all hog production in the United States. The potential permit fee would vary from state to state, but for states using EPA’s “presumptive minimum rate” this could amount to $175 per dairy cow. The net effect of this policy would be to impose severe penalties on livestock producers without effectively reducing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Most emissions from cows and pigs are from natural or biological processes. Fees (or taxes) on cows and hogs will impose a significant added cost for dairy, beef and hog producers that cannot easily be absorbed. Imposition of such costs will likely cause many operators to go out of business.