Representatives disagree with Wolf’s veto of milk haulers bill

Rep. Jim Gregory (R-Blair) and Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair/Cumberland/Franklin/Fulton/Huntingdon) voiced their disagreement with Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto last week of a bill that would have exempted milk haulers from travel bans imposed during a declaration of disaster emergency, such as snowstorms.

“At a time when our dairy industry is already facing serious challenges, it is disappointing that Gov. Wolf has made a choice that makes it even harder on the industry to get their products to market,” Ward, who sponsored companion legislation in the Senate, said. “The bill was developed with a great deal of input and struck a balance between the safety of the public and getting milk to market. Milk haulers are some of the most experienced drivers on the road and are accustomed to driving in inclement weather. It is disheartening that with all the bills signed into law this week to help farmers that this was not included.”

Inclement weather does not stop cows from producing milk, Gregory said. The government should allow the transportation of this perishable product, he said.

The bill’s veto means dairies will have to dump milk when roads are closed.

At the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s State Legislative Conference in March, hundreds of farmers advocated for the bill.