U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and more than a dozen other senators called on U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to help sustain the U.S. dairy industry by utilizing authorities under the recently signed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“The Congress provided several ways in the CARES Act to help the dairy industry,” wrote Sen. Ernst and her colleagues in an April 13 letter sent to Secretary Perdue. “We urge you to develop strong measures to help mitigate the current market upheaval so that the dairy industry can survive this crisis.”
Sen. Ernst and the lawmakers pointed out that while most sectors of the economy have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, “perhaps none have experienced the loss of markets to the degree of the U.S. dairy industry.”
For example, products typically sold to dine-in restaurants, many of which have closed due to social distancing requirements, are backing up in warehouses, the senators wrote.
“Farm milk prices are on the verge of collapse due to this shift in consumer demand,” according to their letter. “Economic stability for the dairy industry will help ensure that a stable and abundant food supply is available to the public at reasonable prices now and long into the future.”
Among the senators who joined Sen. Ernst in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Todd Young (R-IN), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Steve Daines (R-MT).