From Mirror staff reports

A pair of area legislators are criticizing Gov. Tom Wolf for vetoing a bill that would have exempted milk haulers from travel bans under disaster emergencies.

That means dairies will have to dump milk and lose revenue when roads are closed, according to Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, and Rep. Jim Greg­ory, R-Hollidays­burg.

House Bill 915 would have allowed milk haulers to use their discretion when roads are otherwise closed for disaster emergencies like snowstorms.

Wolf vetoed the measure Tuesday, stating in part: “Prior declarations have proven effective in lessening the danger to the public at-large during precarious time periods. Providing an exemption to the travel ban under the declaration puts the public in jeopardy, which, in turn, endangers our state police and first responders and even our milk haulers. In my view, such an exemption runs counter to the safety of the driving public.”

Ward said in a statement:

“At a time when our dairy industry is already facing serious challenges, it is disappointing that Gov. Wolf has made a choice that makes it even harder on the industry to get their products to market. The bill was developed with a great deal of input and struck a balance between the safety of the public and getting milk to market. Milk haulers are some of the most experienced drivers on the road and are accustomed to driving in inclement weather. It is disheartening that with all the bills signed into law this week to help farmers that this was not included.”

Gregory added, “Cows don’t stop producing milk when it snows. By prohibiting the dairy industry from transporting its products, the governor is essentially telling farmers to pour profits down the drain. We should be able to trust professional haulers to evaluate the conditions and transport this perishable product when possible.”