Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Montpelier, Vt - Vermont Agriculture Secretary Roger Allbee applauded the testimony given today by Congressman Welch to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture about the crisis our dairy farmers are facing.

“The situation our dairy farmers are facing in Vermont and across the nation is dire and calls for immediate action. This crisis in dairy pricing has serious impact far beyond the dairy industry,” said Allbee.

“I greatly appreciate Congressman Welch’s acknowledgment of the seriousness of the situation and his commitment to working to find meaningful solutions. The sentiments he expressed in his testimony today reflect those of me and my fellow commissioners of agriculture in the Northeast. It is a critical time not only for Vermont farmers and the dairy industry, but our rural communities, economy and working landscapes. Once a dairy farm ceases operation our landscape is forever changed.”

A survey conducted by the Council on Rural Development showed that a working landscape is important to 97 percent of Vermonters and dairy farms play a major role in Vermont’s working landscape.