February 13, 2007 |
2007-R-0179 | |
QUESTIONS FOR MILK REGULATION BOARD NOMINEES | ||
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By: Joseph R. Holstead, Associate Analyst | ||
Milk Regulation Board (CGS §§ 22-131 and 22-133)
• The Milk Regulation Board must adopt regulations to ensure milk produced in the state is of at least standard quality and that state residents have an adequate and regular supply of it. The board may, by regulation, establish inspection standards for the facilities and processes necessary for producing, handling, storing, and manufacturing retail raw milk, retail raw milk cheese, butter, cheese, dry milk, whey, concentrated milk, condensed milk, single service fluid milk enclosures and milk products.
• In exercising its authority, the board must consider (1) the welfare of the milk producer, the milk dealer and the consuming public; (2) the need to maintain a constant and adequate supply of fluid milk of at least standard quality; and (3) the recommended methods promulgated by recognized authorities for the production, handling and transportation of fluid milk and milk products, and additional methods for the production, handling and transportation of milk and milk products, among other things.
• The board consists of two members actively engaged in milk processing, two actively engaged in selling and distributing milk, two actively engaged in producing milk, and two who have no active or financial interest in producing milk. The governor appoints all eight members. The public health commissioner, or his designee, and the agriculture commissioner are also board members.
Membership: 10 members | ||
Appointed by: governor appoints eight | ||
Appointed by: two ex officio: Agriculture Commissioner and Public Health Commissioner (or their designees) | ||
Term: coterminous with governor or until a successor is chosen, whichever is later |
Coterminous: Yes | |
Confirmed by: Either chamber, as determined by the governor | ||
Full or Part Time: Part time |
Paid: $ 75 for each day a member attends a meeting (up to $ 750 per year per member) | |
QUESTIONS
1. Some argue that grocery stores reap unfair profits on milk, while dairy farmers are occasionally pushed to the verge of bankruptcy by the price they are paid for milk. In fact, according to the board's April 2006 report to the Environment Committee, in 2004, Connecticut dairy farmers received $ 65. 9 million dollars for milk they produced. But the milk sold at retail in Connecticut in the same year was valued at approximately $ 255 million dollars. What can the board do to ensure that grocery stores and other retailers are not taking advantage of consumers while state dairy farmers struggle?
2. Would the board support a regulated pricing mechanism that tied the retail price of milk to the cost of production and processing? What about supporting a small tax on milk products charged to retailers that would go to a dedicated fund to help state dairy farmers?
3. In January 2007, two major firms, Safeway and Starbucks, announced that they would no longer sell or serve milk from cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST), also known by its Monsanto trade name “Posilac. ” RBST has remained controversial since FDA approval in 1993 and the first sales in 1994. How widely is Posilac used in Connecticut and has the product helped Connecticut farmers supply more milk?
4. Is the supply of milk in Connecticut of at least standard quality and is there an adequate and regular supply of it?
5. Have any other states recently shown interest in actively encouraging the U. S. Congress to reinstate the Northeast Dairy Compact?
6. Aside from dairy farm viability (i. e. , milk pricing), what other challenges does the state face regarding maintaining the safe and adequate supply of milk?
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