Rep. McCabe introduces legislation to support dairy industry

Rep. McCabe introduces legislation to support dairy industry

Bill would work to attract federal funding for Maine’s diary farmers

February 20, 2009


AUGUSTA — State Rep. Jeff McCabe, D-Skowhegan, announced Friday that he has introduced a bill to attract federal stimulus funding for dairy farms in Maine. With the industry struggling, Rep. McCabe has been actively working to support farmers in the Skowhegan area since he took office, and this legislation is his latest effort to help farms through these tough times.

“The dairy industry in Maine is essential to our state’s economy, especially in the agricultural, recreation and tourism sectors,” said Rep. McCabe. “Dairy farms produce jobs, and they represent a sustainable resource in this state that we should make every effort to protect.”

The bill, L.D. 628, is a “concept draft,” meaning it is a work in progress for the Legislature’s Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry to debate. Rep. McCabe serves on the committee, and he will present a number of options for the group to consider. The goal will be to produce a bill that brings the largest amount of federal resources to the dairy industry in Maine.

“In the past year, Congress passed a new farm bill with a number of useful programs in it, including funding for renewable energy and conservation,” said Rep. McCabe. “Our state should be utilizing every option we have to take advantage of federal programs to help dairy farms in Maine.”

The legislation will have a public hearing the next few weeks.

Contact:

Rep. Jeff McCabe, 399-3185
Rita Furlow, Legislative Aide, 287-1430
Kyle Leighton, Communications Director, 287-1433