Last week, the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was officially passed and signed. In response to President Donald Trump’s signing of the CARES Act addressing the coronavirus crisis, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Jim Mulhern offered the following statement:
“We thank President Trump for quickly signing this measure into law. It will provide much-needed help to dairy producers, who are experiencing steep drops in milk and dairy-product prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mulhern began. “With the CARES Act now law, we look forward to working with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on several important initiatives, including the need for a significant purchase of multiple dairy products. These efforts will be important to address sales lost because of COVID-19, lift farm milk prices, and send a critical signal to disrupted dairy markets. Government dairy-product purchases will provide our food banks with an important, nutritious, and popular staple item that will help feed families in need.”
The ag industry itself is earmarked for $9.5 billion worth of relief, which will help farmers and ranchers continue their operations. The funding is allocated specifically for specialty crops, producers who supply local food systems and farmers’ markets, restaurants and schools, livestock producers, i.e., cattlemen and women, and dairy farmers.
Deli Market News will continue to report on all events that directly impact the industry.
