Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) joined a group of lawmakers in urging the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to respond to the recommendations of the Northeast Dairy Task Force as quickly as possible. The Task Force was established in response to Danone’s announcement that it would terminate contracts with 89 organic dairy farms in the Northeast, leaving many of the region’s organic farms without a buyer and placing them at risk of closure. The Task Force issued numerous recommendations to improve organic dairy viability in the Northeast, many of which can be directly addressed through USDA support.

“When Danone/Horizon announced their intent to end their contracts with 89 organic dairy farms in the Northeast, 27 organizations came together to create the Northeast Dairy Task Force and provide recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on ways to help the organic dairy industry. Despite the recent announcement that Danone will be providing further assistance to impacted farmers, the underlying structural threats to organic dairy in the Northeast remain and urgent action is needed,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. The letter further asks that Secretary Vilsack respond to the Task Force without delay and to fully utilize existing USDA resources, initiatives, and authorities to implement the Task Force’s recommendations.

Pingree was joined by fellow members of Maine’s Congressional Delegation, Sens. Susan Collins (R), Angus King (I), and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME-02), as well as Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Reps. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.). 

Click here to read the full text of the letter.

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