Options for Changing Milk Marketing Orders
T-RCED-88-41: Published: May 11, 1988. Publicly Released: May 11, 1988.
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GAO discussed the current and future impact of the federal milk marketing order system on dairy programs. GAO noted that the system: (1) established a uniform pricing system; (2) encouraged farmers to produce grade A milk; (3) made it profitable to transport milk from surplus to deficit areas; (4) discouraged milk shipments from one surplus area to another; and (5) fostered local production of milk. GAO also noted that: (1) the pricing provisions contributed to excess production of milk and treated some producers unfavorably; and (2) technological advancements have the potential of significantly increasing milk output while reducing production costs. In addition, GAO noted that lessened government influence on milk prices could decrease the growing dairy surplus by: (1) establishing new basing points in various regions to minimize the influence on regional production patterns; (2) removing down-allocation and compensatory payment provisions to make reconstituted milk competitive; and (3) eliminating the grade A and distance differentials in federal orders. GAO believes that Congress may wish to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) monitor the conditions that result from pricing policy changes; and (2) if necessary, help the industry to adjust.
Sep 16, 2020
Agriculture Spending:
Opportunities Exist for USDA to Identify Successes and Challenges of the Farmers to Families Food Box Program to Inform Future EffortsGAO-20-711R: Published: Sep 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 16, 2020.
Sep 14, 2020
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USDA Market Facilitation Program:
Information on Payments for 2019GAO-20-700R: Published: Aug 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 14, 2020.
Aug 10, 2020
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National Bio and Agro-defense Facility:
DHS and USDA Are Working to Transfer Ownership and Prepare for Operations, but Critical Steps RemainGAO-20-331: Published: Jul 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 10, 2020.
May 7, 2020
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Food Safety:
FDA and USDA Could Strengthen Existing Efforts to Prepare for Oversight of Cell-Cultured MeatGAO-20-325: Published: Apr 7, 2020. Publicly Released: May 7, 2020.
Apr 13, 2020
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Priority Open Recommendations:
U.S. Department of AgricultureGAO-20-288PR: Published: Apr 6, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 13, 2020.
Dec 23, 2019
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Nutrition Assistance Programs:
Agencies Could Do More to Help Address the Nutritional Needs of Older AdultsGAO-20-18: Published: Nov 21, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 23, 2019.
Dec 6, 2019
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Imported Seafood Safety:
Actions Needed to Improve FDA Oversight of Import Alert Removal DecisionsGAO-20-62: Published: Nov 6, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 6, 2019.
Nov 12, 2019
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Irrigated Agriculture:
Technologies, Practices, and Implications for Water ScarcityGAO-20-128SP: Published: Nov 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Nov 12, 2019.
Oct 28, 2019
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Dairy Cooperatives:
Potential Implications of Consolidation and Investments in Dairy Processing for FarmersGAO-19-695R: Published: Sep 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 28, 2019.
Sep 9, 2019
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Date Labels on Packaged Foods:
USDA and FDA Could Take Additional Steps to Reduce Consumer ConfusionGAO-19-407: Published: Sep 9, 2019. Publicly Released: Sep 9, 2019.
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