Governor Douglas to Call Emergency Dairy Summit
Also Seeks Federal Emergency Relief
WHAT: Governor
to Call Emergency Dairy Summit
Burlington, Vt.-Governor Jim Douglas has announced
that his administration, working with the Vermont Milk Commission, is organizing an Emergency Dairy Summit to discuss all available
means to help farmers in the near term so that they can weather what the
Governor calls a 'perfect storm' of circumstances.
"Low milk prices, high fuel and energy cost and poor crop, or in
some cases destroyed crops, due to extended spring rains are contributing to
what is now a clear crisis situation for Vermont's
dairy farmers," Governor Douglas said. "Because of this perfect
storm of events, I have directed my Secretary of Administration, Mike Smith to
work closely with my entire cabinet in coordination with our partners in the
federal government and Vermont's
congressional delegation to provide assistance to all Vermont farmers."
This morning Governor Douglas also signed a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary
Mike Johanns requesting Emergency Disaster Designation, which paves the way for
direct financial relief for farmers. "Our Agency of Agriculture will
work with USDA's Farm Service Agency to complete the paperwork and damage
assessments necessary to carry out this request," Douglas
said.
Roger Allbee, director of Farm Service Agency said preliminary estimates
of crop loss approach twenty million dollars. This number will be updated as
counties continue to assess the damage.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 13, 2006
,12:00 p.m.
WHERE: University
of Vermont, Waterman
Building, Burlington
###
Jason
Gibbs
Governors
Communications Director
109
State Street ¨ The Pavilion ¨ Montpelier,
VT 05609-0101 ¨ www.vermont.gov/governor
Telephone: 802.828.3333 ¨ Fax: 802.828.3339 ¨ TDD: 802.828.3345