by Lane Nordlund, Northern Ag Network
Last week I was out on those icy, snow packed roads driving across Montana. At Northern Ag Network, lots windshield time is a part of the game. With this, comes time to reflect on the issues affecting agriculture and how we, as broadcasters, are able to deliver news and inform our listeners and viewers about the issues that affect them.
On Thursday, December 17th, I attended the town hall meeting hosted by the Montana Department of Livestock (DOL). The focus of the meeting was the proposed rule to increase the dairy assessment fees for producers and processors of Montana dairy products. Dr. Marty Zaluski, Interim Executive Officer of the DOL, did a very good job of moderating the meeting while attendees shared their comments and solutions to the proposed dairy fee increase. Small and large dairy producers alike shared their concerns over the dramatic increase in the inspection assessment fees.
It's important to note, the dairy inspections must take place for dairy products to be sold, but under the current fee structure, the program is not paying for itself and was reported as $130,000 in the red. What had most of the attendees upset about is that they had no idea a proposed fee increase was a possibility. The larger dairy producers who had been aware of an increase being proposed, had been informed through a dairy cooperative.
It was obvious to me as an outsider to the diary industry that some of the smaller and newer diary producers and processors have not been engaged in the DOL rule making process or informed on the polices that have a direct affect on their industry. But, with over 40 people in attendance at this meeting, they are rapidly becoming more actively engaged and understanding the ruling making process better. It was great to see a full room!
With no real dairy association in Montana that provides members legal and lobbying representation on their respective issue, I can see how it could be difficult for some producers to stay fully 100{257ecae47c7fec349321aca28547072fa2160c1991a573be7695613338f0f130} up to date on the issues that impact this industry. They are for one, out making a living and doing their part in feeding the region, the nation, and the world.
Dairy producers at the meeting were very concerned that the proposed fee increase on inspections would put them out of business. For producers that are currently paying $50 a month for inspection fees, under the proposal it could jump to $750! To me, that is clearly unsustainable. At the same time, the current assessment fees to operate the inspections of dairy products are also unsustainable as they are not enough pay for the program. You have to have both ends to make it whole (and legal).
A majority of town hall attendees agreed on a potential solution to fix the financial problem. The basis of the solution is that the inspection of their dairy products falls under a state public safety and health concern. With that being said, they urged the DOL to have the shortfall gap filled with funding from the general fund from State of Montana. Currently, the State Diagnostic Labratory funded by the General Fund for public healthy and safety reason, so the argument can be made that dairy inspection falls in the same category.
Another question I am still asking myself is “what is the amount of the shortfall?”. At the town hall meeting the amount was given as $130,000. The next day at the Board of Livestock (BOL) meeting in Helena, the very different amount was presented by George Harris, the DOL accountant. Somehow the amount was decreased to $75,000. There is an obvious gap of information and knowledge that is being passed from office to office at the DOL. And, dairy producers feel the DOL is trying to pull the covers over their heads.
Another issue that was brought up was the dairy representative vacancy on the BOL. It is the Governor's role to appoint the board members, and at this point the seat has been vacant for many months. Suggestions have been given to the Governor, but he seems to be stalling on his nomination. The Montana Dairy industry demands representation on the BOL. Several producers at the town hall meeting were quoting the motto of our Revolutionary Forefathers, “No taxation with out Representation.” I feel Montana agriculture must press the Governor Bullock to make an appointment and soon.
I believe the attendees of the town hall now have a better grasp of the ruling making process for the DOL. I now hope to see all producers, big and small, working together with the DOL and its board to come up with a sustainable solution for the industry. If not, we will be truly asking, Got Milk? Or, Got Cheese? Got Montana Diary? And the answer will be no.
© Northern Ag Network 2015
