May 19, 2000

Dear Senator,

The Environmental League of Massachusetts asks for your support of a budget amendment striking outside sections regarding the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. We are very concerned not only with the content of the proposed outside sections, but with the lack of public debate around this important issue.

The Compact serves many goals beyond support of individual dairy farmers. The Massachusetts environment benefits when dairy farmers are paid fair prices for their milk, as the 280 dairy farms across the Commonwealth represent more than 100,000 acres of open space, wildlife habitat, and important groundwater recharge areas.

Proponents of the outside sections have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Compact in helping small farmers. The questions raised, however, deserve full public debate via the legislative process – including public hearings and deliberation. We strongly object to the use of the budget process to repeal a law enacted by the legislature.

We urge you to support the amendments offered that uphold the Compact, and look forward to real, open debate of the issues at hand.

Sincerely,

James R. Gomes

President

Cc: Governor Cellucci

Secretary Bob Durand, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs

Commissioner Jay Healy, Department of Food and Agriculture