Catamount Tavern News Service, St. Johnsbury, VT –The Vermont Milk Commission is currently considering whether or not to mandate a premium for retail milk sold in Vermont. The proposed premium would be paid by the milk processers, and would be transferred directly to farmers as a way to stabilize their income. Advocates contend that this fund would go a long way in helping farmers get through bad times, and would kick the processers in the ass a bit for the ongoing and historical low pay given to farmers for their raw milk. The original findings of the commission were that the processers would be able to afford this charge, and that it would not need to be past on to consumers.

However, at a recent hearing the processors and the large grocers provided “professional” testimony stating that they could not afford to the fee and that if it were implemented, they would be forced to pass the cost down the chain consumers. After listening to this not-so-surprising testimony, the Milk Commission, headed by Roger Allbee, a Jim Douglas appointee, appears to be second guessing their own figures and have decided to hold more hearings before they decide what, if anything, to do.

The next hearing will be held on November 18th and others are expected to quickly follow. CT News strongly urges all dairy farmers to attend these events and to make their voice heard! For detailed information on the hearing (location/time/etc) go to the Vermont Milk Commission’s web page at: www.vermontagriculture.com/milkcommission or call the Department of Agriculture at: 828-2426