Support for Senator Baldwin’s DAIRY PRIDE Act Continues to Grow

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin’s DAIRY PRIDE Act continues to gain strong support from farmers across Wisconsin and the country. Today, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation announced their support for DAIRY PRIDE Act, joining the dozens of dairy farmers and processors who have announced their strong support for the reform.  

“Wisconsin’s dairy industry is the backbone of our state’s agricultural economy. We receive world-wide recognition because our farmers take pride in providing healthy and safe dairy products to their customers. The labeling and marketing of all dairy milk products should be accurate and enforced by the Food and Drug Administration,” said Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President Jim Holte.

“America’s dairy farm families take pride in producing wholesome products. This is a legacy built on years of dedication to milk quality and safety, animal care and environmental stewardship. That’s what milk means in America and the reputation it has earned should not be falsely appropriated by marketers of non-dairy products,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

This weekend, Senator Baldwin is visiting a family-owned-and-operated dairy farm in Chippewa Falls. During the farm visit, dairy farmers and processors will discuss the DAIRY PRIDE Act, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead for Wisconsin’s dairy industry and the nomination of  Sonny Perdue for Agriculture Secretary.

Senator Baldwin’s DAIRY PRIDE Act stands up for Wisconsin dairy farmers by combating the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products. Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations define dairy products as being from dairy animals. Although existing federal regulation are clear, the FDA has not enforced these labeling regulations and the mislabeling of products has increased rapidly. This hurts dairy farmers who work tirelessly to ensure their Made in Wisconsin dairy products meet FDA standards and provide the public with nutritious food. It has also led to the proliferation of mislabeled alternative products that contain a range of ingredients and nutrients that are often not equivalent to the nutrition content of dairy products.

The DAIRY PRIDE Act would require the FDA to issue guidance for nationwide enforcement of mislabeled imitation dairy products within 90 days and require the FDA to report to Congress two years after enactment to hold the agency accountable for this update in their enforcement obligations.

Quotes from additional supporting organizations is available here.