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Calls for MPCs not to be defined as milk
Thursday, June 12, 2003
Addressing the concerns of New York dairy farmers, legislation authored by Senator Jim Wright (R,C,I-Watertown) has been approved in the State Senate regarding the use of Milk Protein Concentrates (MPC), an often used substitute for milk in dairy food products.
"Some food processors use MPCs rather than actual milk yet label their products as containing milk. This practice takes business away from local farmers who are already struggling against record low milk prices," said Senator Wright. "It will not forbid the use of MPCs, which is a federal issue, but will help level the playing field by making sure that New York’s consumers know the make up of the food they and their families consume."
The legislation would exclude any product containing milk protein concentrates from the definition of milk. As a result, manufacturers of dairy products would have to make the use of MPCs known to consumers since it would not be classified as milk.
"This legislation has the potential to provide a tangible benefit to dairy farmers," said John Lincoln,
President of New York Farm Bureau. "While there is academic controversy about the extent that imports of MPCs and casein impact our farm milk prices, I have no doubt that Senator Wright’s legislation would help to increase the use of domestic dairy products. Many thanks to the Senator for understanding the importance of the dairy industry to New York’s economy and environment."
The New York Farm Bureau supports excluding imported milk protein concentrates from the definition of milk, as a preventative measure, in the event that new technology development enables the dairy processing industry in the future to utilize imported dried protein products to be reconstituted and sold to consumers as a fluid milk, according to a memo in support of the legislation from the statewide organization.
Over the past several years, imports of milk protein concentrates have increased significantly, well over 200 percent for the two types of milk protein imports allowed into this country through a loop hole in trade agreements. The New York Farm Bureau is working at the federal level to have the trade loophole rectified through passage of a tariff rate quota for MPCs. Until a tariff rate quota is adopted, such imports are significantly undercutting domestic farm prices.
MPC is dried protein derived from milk, but does not have the same nutritional value as real milk. It can be used in place of nonfat dry milk from American producers to make cheese, ice cream and nutritional products such as sports shakes. MPC is not currently produced in the United States.
Senator Wright worked with the Farm Bureau to craft the legislation and has maintained ongoing communications with local farmers and producers about this issue.
The legislation has also been introduced in the State Assembly by Assemblyman Darrell Aubertine.
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