Maryland dairy farmers have picked up the support of Gov. Parris N. Glendening in their battle for milk price control legislation designed to halt the decline in the number of dairy farms operating in the state.
The governor said that he backs a bill in the General Assembly that would make Maryland part of an existing Northeast dairy compact that sets the price farmers receive for Class 1 (drinking) milk at a level that makes milking cows profitable.
"I support the legislation. I intend to work for the legislation and I will sign it," the governor told about 800 applauding farmers and lawmakers at the annual Maryland Agriculture Week banquet in Glen Burnie Thursday night.
"Our dairy farmers continue to suffer terribly," the governor said. "Last year alone, 82 dairy farms went out of business. There are now only 75 percent of the dairy farms that were in Maryland in 1991."
Glendening said the decline convinced him that the state must help protect an industry that pumps $200 million into the state's economy each year and preserves open space.
The Northeast Compact currently includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. New Jersey recently passed legislation to become a member of the compact. New York and Pennsylvania are considering legislation.
The compact does not set the price for other dairy products, including milk used in making cheese, ice cream or yogurt.
The governor acknowledged that grocery retailers -- including Giant Food Inc., the state's largest chain with 175 stores -- oppose the legislation, which they insist will boost the price consumers pay for milk.
"As a practical matter," the governor said, "there is no evidence in other states that have milk price commissions in place already that consumers are paying a higher price." He said he would make certain that any bill passed would safeguard consumers.
"We must have some kind of regional price support, particularly when other states are doing it. This is the only way for us to make sure we have a level playing field," he said.
Ed Fry, who operates a 240-cow dairy farm near Chestertown, said he was pleased and "a little surprised" by the governor's commitment to the dairy industry. "It was good news," he said.
House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr., an Allegany County Democrat, was more noncommittal. Noting that milk compact legislation is not the kind of issue with which lawmakers like to deal in an election year, he said: "But if other states are doing it, perhaps we should, too."
Myron L. Wilhide, president of the Maryland Dairy Industry Association and owner of a dairy farm near Detour, said passing legislation enabling Maryland to join the compact this year is important.
Congress is expected to open the door for an expansion of the Northeast compact later in the year and Maryland needs to be ready for membership, Wilhide said.
Pub Date: 2/07/98
