Last month, Rep. David Vitter (R-LA) introduced a bill to reauthorize the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact and form new compacts in several other regions of the nation.
The legislation was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. IDFA says it is unlikely that the bill will be considered a priority for review due to its lack of co-sponsors and the crowded congressional schedule. The Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact, expired on September 30, 2001, and Congress refused to resurrect it during debate on the 2002 farm bill. IDFA opposes all efforts to revive or create dairy compacts. But some dairy producers, particularly those in the Northeast say compacts are needed, especially in the face of weak markets like the one farmers have been faced with for the past year.