House Republican Press Release

May 7, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Mike Alberts Lauds Passage of Assistance for Dairy Farmers

State Rep. Mike Alberts, R-50^th District, Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret and Woodstock, thanked legislators of both parties for passing legislation to help dairy farmers in Connecticut, which he cosponsored.

The legislation, SB 632, has passed both houses of the legislature and now awaits the signature of Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

The bill creates a nine-member Connecticut Certified Milk Promotion Board within the Department of Agriculture.

The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture and Economic and Community Development commissioners to make recommendations and propose legislative changes to lower diary farm production costs and increase dairy industry revenues.

The recommendations and proposals on lowering cost must be made in consultation with the Office of Policy and Management. The proposals and recommendations are due by January 1, 2009.

Rep. Alberts said, “For many reasons it is important to encourage strong agricultural businesses in our state.”

“Dairy farming is an essential part of the Connecticut economy, providing jobs, income and open land, particularly in northeastern Connecticut,” said Rep. Alberts.

He added, “It also is environmentally sound policy to encourage production of dairy products in close proximity to where the people of Connecticut will consume them, not only trucking them in from across the nation.”

Rep. Alberts thanked fellow legislators who overwhelmingly supported the legislation.

He serves the 50^th Assembly District of Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret and Woodstock in the state House of Representatives.