HARRISBURG – Legislation easing the regulatory burden on dairy haulers was unanimously approved today by the full state Senate, according to the bill’s prime sponsor Senator Gene Yaw (R-23).
Senate Bill 1010 would allow a hauler of skim, condensed and evaporated milk, to obtain a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for the movement of milk to other states. Permits and designated routes would need to be approved and authorized by PennDOT. Raw milk haulers already have a similar permit requirement.
Currently, Pennsylvania dairy operations can only ship milk in 80,000lb increments, compared to surrounding states such as New York, where 95,000lbs is legal, which results in disadvantages for our Pennsylvania businesses and farms. The weight differential between states forces Pennsylvania dairy operations to put out the bid with smaller loads, requiring the customer to unload more trucks and pay higher hauling costs.
“Today’s passage of Senate Bill 1010 was a victory for Pennsylvania dairy haulers and producers,” Yaw said. “Pennsylvania is at a competitive disadvantage compared to surrounding states as the result of our hauling regulations. I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this measure and for recognizing the importance of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry.
“As a 4th generation dairy farmer, it’s increasingly difficult to sustain our family farm on a milk check, so it’s more important than ever to increase efficiencies and stay on par with surrounding states regulations and allow our dairy producers to compete,” said State Senator Elder Vogel, Jr., who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. “I applaud my colleagues for supporting this bill.”
Senate Bill 1010 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Contact: Rita Zielonis
(717) 787-3280