10-7 IAN Dairy Policy

 Idaho dairyman, you have a man in Washington DC that is looking out for your best interests. “ My title is senior vice president, however just think of me and my team as professional lobbyists for the dairy industry.  I have a small division and I have a couple of lobbyists who work for me and we are the ones who tell members of Congress what the Dairy Foods Association’s positions are.”

 Those are words from Jerry Slominski who is the International Dairy Foods Association senior vice president for legislative affairs and economic policy. Jerry has a highly informed perspective on Capitol Hill discussions related to dairy and the upcoming Farm Bill, which recently held hearings. He recently spent several days with dairy industry leaders visiting Capitol Hill to talk with Senate and House agriculture committee leaders on several topics.  The ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota), on July 13 released draft legislation for the dairy portion of the Farm Bill.  The draft has prompted a growing discussion on policy topics.

 He’s an expert on and advocate for dairy industry growth.  Jerry has seen the increase in U.S. dairy exports even during tough economic times. (According to the Idaho Department of Agriculture, Idaho has historically ranked fourth in the nation in total dairy exports, consistent with its overall rank as a dairy producing state.) Jerry wants to address policy proposals being discussed for the upcoming Farm Bill, in particular the topic of mandatory government dairy supply controls and why the IDFA opposes them because experience in Canada and the EU have proven they stifle exports.