SR0034 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0034 LRB094 06293 JAM 36366 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The dairy industry is a traditional component of this State's vital agricultural economy, but unstable milk prices have taken a toll on the number of milk producers in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The number of milk cows in Illinois currently averages 108,000 head, a 6% decrease from the 2004 average; and

WHEREAS, Milk production in Illinois totaled 168,000 pounds in December of 2003, and although production per cow had improved, this total was 3% less than the December 2002 figure; and

WHEREAS, One factor in slowing the dairy production losses in Illinois has been the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program, authorized by the 2002 federal Farm Bill and administered by the Farm Service Agency; and

WHEREAS, Under the MILC program, participants who commercially produce and market cow milk in the United States, or who produce milk in the United States and commercially market it outside the United States, receive financial compensation when domestic milk prices fall below a specified level; and

WHEREAS, The MILC program, and its beneficial impact upon the Illinois dairy industry, expire September 30, 2005, unless the United States Congress acts to extend that expiration date; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the members of the Illinois congressional delegation to support the extension of the expiration date of the federal Milk Income Loss Contract program, appreciating the important role this program's financial assistance plays in sustaining the Illinois dairy industry and in encouraging dairy industry growth; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to each member of the Illinois congressional delegation.