Dairy industry warns ICE raids on farms could skyrocket milk to $8 a gallon

[babylonsister]

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/4/19/1654432/-Dairy-industry-warns-ICE-raids-on-farms-could-skyrocket-milk-to-8-a-gallon?detail=facebook


Dairy industry warns ICE raids on farms could skyrocket milk to $8 a gallon
By Gabe Ortiz
Wednesday Apr 19, 2017 · 3:57 PM EST


In reminder of just how much the nation’s economic engine depends on immigrants, the dairy industry is warning consumers that Donald Trump’s mass deportation dragnet could cause the price of milk to soar to $8 a gallon:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current average price of a gallon of milk is about $3.31. The price of milk has actually remained pretty steady for the last decade, but that could change if the new president allows his immigration crackdown to extend to dairy farms.

The last dairy farm raid that made headlines took place in 2013 in Michigan and was part of a larger investigation into a couple who allegedly conspired “to transport, conceal, harbor and shield from detection undocumented immigrants to obtain their services for financial gain.”

But factories, restaurants, and farms are fairly regular targets of immigration raids. In February, 55 undocumented workers were arrested during a series of raids at Chinese restaurants in Mississippi. One of the largest workplace raids took place in 2008 at an Iowa meat processing plant. There, 389 immigrants were detained, the Bush administration’s largest roundup of undocumented workers at a single site, the Washington Post reported at the time.

“We need to continue to demonstrate to the federal government, to demonstrate to the Trump administration, that we are continuing the fight, to make sure that farmworkers, that immigrants are protected in this nation,” said Arturo Rodriguez, president of the United Farm Workers.

According to a study from Texas A&M University, “about 79 percent of the nation’s milk supply comes from dairy farms that employ immigrants.” Across all farms, 71 percent of workers are immigrants, and 48 percent are undocumented.

Regardless of their immigration status, immigrants are this industry’s life force, a fact too often disregarded by most consumers. Now that the possibility of losing the immigrant population is real, all Americans—particularly lower-income families—are at risk of feeling the pain.

[L. Coyote]

1. That definitely tells you how dramatically they screw over workers!

[GP6971]

2. This administration has no need for facts.

after all, 45/140 knows more about ISIS, a foreign force, than the generals...and foreign affairs isn't is strong suit. Just imagine what he Knows about US domestic agriculture!!

[elleng]

3. Warning 'consumers?'

That'll go far! How about CONGRESS???!!!

[Leghorn21]

4. Diary - check. Milk, $8/gallon. Chicken factories - check. Dozen eggs, $6. Pack of chicken

thighs, $10. Beef factories - check. Burger, $7/pound.

Lettuce, avocados, green beans, tomatoes, strawberries, oranges, cherries, raisins - $$$$$

I made up the egg/chicken/burger prices. But damn. Shit could get real one of these days, and in the not-too-distant future, eh.

And then there's bacon...

[HoneyBadger]

5. Big Milk is a scam

Half the world is lactose intolerant and dairy actually does way more harm than good. If we as a species got off dairy, we would be infinitely healthier.



"Overall, about 75 percent of the world's population, including 25 percent of those in the U.S., lose their lactase enzymes after weaning. The recognition of this fact has resulted in an important change in terminology: Those who could not digest milk were once called "lactose intolerant" or "lactase deficient.""

[Ilsa]

8. We don't drink milk, but we use it.

I bake with it, make delicious quiches with dairy and eggs, make mac and cheese, and buy cheese products for members of my family.

I wonder how much is wasted?

[GulfCoast66]

9. Well, because of my genetics I am not lactose intolerant

I make my own yogurt and Kefir from grass fed organic whole milk and consume it each morning with fruit and whole grains. It is the daily breakfast of many of the most healthy nations in the world. So I like my milk.

Now, I totally agree that the dairy industry is no friend of the consumer nor the dairy farmer. I wish we had more local options although I realize that will mean higher prices.

Have a nice evening.

[bronxiteforever]

6. K&R. 45s recession is on its way and it will be ugly.

Border states, travel industry plus ag business and brain drain from tech and healthcare. All are going to suffer plus add normal market factors. Yikes, the GOP knows how to tank the economy and they are bringing their A game.

[titaniumsalute]

7. Ive been saying this shit for years to Right wing families and friends

Except I used tomatoes. You deport the immigrants then don't bitch when you pay $8 for a tomato.

[The99thTimeLord]

10. I grew up on a Dairy farm in Georgia

We depended on hard working immigrants 100% of the time. I didn't say 99%. What those men did and how hard they worked (and they were taken well care of accordingly, I promise you that), none of my white friends would do. The work was too hard, hours too long and girls who wanted to be taken on dates were too cute for the precious soft handed whites of Fort Oglethorpe.