Steven Etka

"Midwest Dairy Coalition members came to Washington to ask Congress to ensure this vastly beneficial program for dairy producers continues through 2007 to coincide with the next farm bill debate," says Steve Etka, coordinator for the Midwest Dairy Coalition.
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"Given the obvious benefits of the MILC program to the dairy farmers of the Upper Midwest and the nation as a whole, the Midwest Dairy Coalition is supporting the extension of the MILC program," says Etka.
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We feel there is no rationale for negotiating a bilateral agreement with Australia to give their exporters greater access to our markets than they currently enjoy," Etka says.

Coalition members also spent some time underscoring their support for legislation that would close the current loopholes for Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC) imports.

The concern stems to negotiations during the Uruguay Round when loopholes were inadvertently created that provided an avenue for unlimited access to the U.S. market for certain milk proteins.These imported milk protein products are now being used as ingredients in domestic production of some dairy products, displacing domestically produced milk and dairy products.

"The U.S. failed to address our vulnerability to surges in imports of milk protein concentrates and casein, although our nation did negotiate tariff rate quotas to prevent surges of imports of traditional dairy product categories, such as cheese, nonfat dry milk, and butter," explains Etka.

-- Steven Etka, Midwest Dairy Coalition

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Wisconsin's congressional delegation says a proposed national farm bill would benefit the state's dairy farmers.

The tentative agreement reached by House and Senate negotiators late last week includes a national program to pay farmers when milk prices decrease.
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Steven Etka, the coalition's legislative coordinator, called the calculation a rough estimate using projections of future milk prices.

"Not only will the program improve the income safety net for all dairy producers, but it means long-overdue peace between the dairy regions of the country," he said."A 100-cow dairy farm will receive the same benefits from this program whether they're in Wisconsin or Vermont or California -- and that's progress."

California and Wisconsin are the nation's top two dairy-producing states.

While Rep.Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, agreed the bill will bring some relief to state dairy farmers, he expressed disappointment that much of the increased spending will go toward large grain and cotton farmers in 15 Western states.

"We're not saying we shouldn't have a big debate about dairy policy again, but if we're going to have that debate let's have it in the context of the farm bill," said Steven Etka, a lobbyist for the Midwest Dairy Coalition.

He also hinted that the power of a presidential endorsement was paying dividends: "I have seen even the most staunch opponents of agricultural subsidies come out and talk about, 'Well, this is something the president made a commitment on.'"