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.