Approved
Minutes
Northeast Dairy Compact
Commission
Regular
Monthly Meeting
May 11, 2001 – Newport Marriott, Newport,
Rhode Island
Commissioners in
attendance:
RI:
Al Bettencourt, Aaron Briggs, Jametta Alston, Ron Newman, and Peter
Petrone
MA: Mary Kelligrew
Kassler and Bill Gillmeister
VT: Jaques
Couture, Robert Starr, Andy Dykstra, Millicent Rooney and Harold Howrigan
NH: Debora
Erb and Douglas Morris
ME: Colon Durrell
Stan Millay and Fred Hardy
CT: Robert
D’Allessando, Robert Jacquier, Shirley Ferris and Mae Schmidle
Commission staff
in attendance:
Dan Smith, Executive Director; Tom Lehner, Staff Counsel;
Carmen Ross, Regulations Administrator; Nancy Audette, Office Manager; Amy
Mandeville, Public Information Director
Chair Mae Schmidle called the
meeting to order at 10:15, and brought greetings from Rhode Island Governor
Lincoln Almond.
Executive Director Dan Smith
thanked the Rhode Island delegation for their hospitality.
I. Public
Participation:
Rhode Island dairy farmer Jane Escobar informed that Commission that farms are
now able to pay their bills because the Compact price regulation has worked to
keep milk prices at a reasonable level.
Bob Wellington from Agrimark gave a marketplace update, and stated that milk
prices are now projected to rise and stay about the Compact price regulation at
least until the end of the year. He cautioned, however, that the higher prices never last
long, and when they fall, they fall precipitously. He said there is an absolute
need for the Compact in this context, and it is doing exactly as intended.
New York Dairy farmer Ken Dibble spoke at length about the need to increase
the amount of the over order obligation.
II. Introduction of Guests
Commissioner Schmidle introduced Representative Patrick Kennedy, who spoke
positively of the Compact and the price regulation’s benefits to consumers and
farmers. Kennedy said he is a tremendous supporter of the Compact, and will do
everything he can to help it through in Washington. He described the Compact as
vital to the economy, the maintenance of open space in Rhode Island and to the
character of New England. He said fighting for the Compact means fighting for a
way of life.
Commissioner Peter Petrone introduced Becky Bissette, Rhode Island WIC Program
Director.
Other Guests Present: Gabe Moquin, Connecticut Department of Agriculture; Kelly
Furstenburg; Jane and Louis Escobar, Rhode Island dairy farmers; Ray DeSanto,
Federal Market Administrator’s office; Frank
Kenyon, Rhode Island dairy farmer; Leon Graves, Commissioner Vermont Department
of Agriculture, Food and Markets; Anne Howrigan; Pat Green, reporter for Country
Folks; Steve Blackhurst; Carl Peterson, Agrimark; Fred Kenyon, Rhode Island
dairy farmer; Ray Christianson, NY agriculture; Mary Murphy; Bob Wellington,
Agrimark; Ken Dibble, dairy farmer.
III. Consideration to
approve of Minutes of April 11, 2001 meeting:
Motion 5/11-1 by Jacques Couture/ Second by Ron Newman
Moved to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2001 monthly meeting as presented
MOTION PASSED 6 TO 0
VI. Financial
Statement: Month Ending March 31, 2001:
V. Reports
A. Chair’s Report
Commissioner Schmidle extended sympathy to Commissioner
Fred Hardy on the death of his wife, and read from an official tribute by
Senator Leahy in the March 9, 2001 Congressional Record in honor of Commissioner
Harold Howrigan.
B. Executive
Director’s Report
Mr. Smith reported the Commission is beginning again to run
under its own momentum. He attributed the success in part to the new staff
finding their way in their jobs. He also noted Regulations Administrator Carmen
Ross continues to be the anchor for operations of the price regulation.
Mr. Smith stated that the Organic Cow litigation was
scheduled for oral argument for June 13.
Mr. Smith said the New Hampshire license of Turner Dairy
had been suspended due to non-payment of the Compact over-order obligation, and
that Turner’s plans remain uncertain. The Commission intends to maintain a
firm stance on the issue.
Mr. Smith briefly discussed the approval process in other
states, indicating that Oklahoma has newly passed Compact legislation, and that
Texas is considering the legislation. He also noted that the compact bill was in
the process of being introduced in Congress.
Mr. Smith announced the Massachusetts meeting in Wenham on
June 6, and said the July meeting will be in Maine and the August meeting in
Connecticut.
D. Committee on Administration Report
No report.
E. Committee on Regulations and Rulemaking Report
No report.
VI. New Business
Recommendations of
Committee on Finance
Treasurer Colon Durrell recommended that the Commission
accept the March 31, 2001 financial report.
Motion 5/11- 2 by Colon Durrell on behalf of Finance
Committee
Move to file for audit the March 31, 2001 financial report
MOTION PASSED 6 TO 0
VII. Informational
Review and Update
Commissioners Ron Newman and Peter Petrone welcomed the
delegations, and Al Bettencourt welcomed the Commission as well on behalf of the
Rhode Island Farm Bureau.
A. The Compact and
the Consumer Protection Division of Rhode Island.
Commissioner Jametta Alston referred to the Rhode Island delegation as the
Compact’s canary in the coalmine – the factor that allows the Commission to
know it’s still healthy. She described the Consumer Protection Division’s
function in the Attorney General’s office, and explained the Division’s
function as the consumer advocate on the Commission.
B. Presentation on Open Space and Environmental Concerns
Jan Reitsma, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
discussed the benefits of the operation of the Compact of not only preserving
open space but also preserving the land conservatorship of farmers on working
farms. His statement at length is attached.
(Statement attached)
C. The
Compact Price Regulation and the Rhode Island WIC Program
Commissioner Peter Petrone said the Compact price regulation and the WIC program
work smoothly together, and that the intended purpose of “holding harmless”
the WIC program has been achieved.
(Statement attached)
D. Rhode Island Dairy
Industry and the Dairy Compact
Rhode Island dairy farmer Louis Escobar said the Compact price regulation is
crucial to preserving open space. He said farming is a more respectable business
now than it was when he was young, because it protects that space. He said the
Compact check keeps him going, and without it he and other farmers would be
unable to continue.
Mr. Smith read a letter from the Rhode Island Food Security
Coalition (attached).
Commissioner Schmidle introduced Ken Ayars, Rhode Island
Division of Agriculture Chief, who said he was very appreciative of the Compact
Commission’s efforts.
VIII. Public
Participation (after lunch)
Ken Dibble reiterated his concerns about Compact pricing,
and said he objected to the WIC reimbursement provision.
Louis Escobar reiterated his opinion that the Rhode Island dairy industry would
likely not continue for long without the Compact price regulation. Leon Graves
gave a brief update on the current situation of the Compact legislation in
Washington D.C.
Appreciation awards were given to Rhode Island Senator Kevin Breene and
Representative Stephen Anderson. Robert Lyons, brother-in-law of Representative
Anderson, accepted the award on Rep. Anderson’s behalf. Both Representative
Anderson and Senator Breene were active in passing Rhode Island Compact
legislation.
X. Staff Reports
Staff Counsel Tom Lehner and Regulations Administrator Carmen Ross briefly
discussed the procedure in development for administering the supply management
program, and the Application Claim Form producers will submit in order to
participate in the program.
B. Congressional Impact Report/ Regulations Review
Mr. Smith said Consultant Deb Brighton is still solidifying the farm information
database and should be able to comment at the next meeting on the impact the
Compact has on farms by category. He also indicated he would report at the next
meeting on the price regulation review.
Dr. Ronald Cotterill, Director, Food Marketing Policy Center, The University of
Connecticut, gave a detailed review of his study on the Compact price regulation
and retail pricing.
(Summary statement attached)
XII. Presentations by Rhode Island
Congressional Delegation Designees
Sarah Dennigan from the office of U.S. Senator Jack Reed read a statement on the
behalf of the Senator.
(Letter attached)
XIII. Announcements: Opportunity for
individual state comments
Commissioner Starr voiced his appreciation to the Rhode Island delegation.
Commissioner Stan Milay also voiced appreciation to the delegation.
Chair Schmidle adjourned the meeting at 3 p.m.