Jun. 18, 2019
HARRISBURG - With Pennsylvania dairy farmers facing more and more challenges, state Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Bushkill Township) joined her House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee colleagues Tuesday in advancing legislation that would support the industry at both the producer and consumer level.
“Pennsylvania trails only Wisconsin in total dairy farms per state, but our numbers are on the decline and our dairy infrastructure is beginning to show signs of age as fewer young people enter the business,” Hahn said. “Demand is still high, so it is critical that we find ways to attract investment in the dairy industry. The bills we passed Tuesday will hopefully lead to that.”
The committee unanimously passed House Resolution 222, which would ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to enforce its own regulation and ensure clarity in the marketplace concerning the term “milk,” so consumers know what they are buying.
“The USFDA has defined milk as being a product of the ‘milking of one or more healthy cows,’ and we’re simply asking them to be consistent and hold to the definition they have established,” Hahn said.
Also passed was a resolution supporting Pennsylvania Congressman Glenn Thompson’s federal legislation to re-introduce whole milk to public school lunch programs.
“Two years ago, the federal government rolled back the portion of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that required schools to offer only nonfat flavored milk or 1% white milk,” added Hahn. “House Resolution 402 returns to students the option of drinking whole milk, which has benefits as well.”
Questions about this or any state government issue should be directed to Hahn’s district office at 610-746-2100.
Representative Marcia Hahn
138th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
RepHahn.com /
Facebook.com/RepHahn