AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a dire warning Tuesday about the statewide impact of the winter storm on agriculture and the food supply chain.
Commissioner Miller says farmers and ranchers across the state are seeing devastating effects from the cold weather on livestock, feed and agriculture products.
"As Texas Agriculture Commissioner, I’m issuing a red alert regarding agriculture and our food supply chain here in the state of Texas," Miller said in a news release. "I’m getting calls from farmers and ranchers across the state reporting that the interruptions in electricity and natural gas are having a devastating effect on their operations."
"In just one example, dairy operations are dumping $8 million worth of milk down the drains every day because the plants that process that milk don’t have power. Grocery stores are already unable to get shipments of dairy products. Store shelves are already empty. We’re looking at a food supply chain problem like we’ve never seen before, even with COVID-19," Miller said.
DOWNLOAD THE FOX 7 AUSTIN NEWS APP
This browser does not support the Video element.
Austin area groceries reopen with adjusted hours amid winter weather
The historic winter weather forced many local grocery stores to close yesterday but many of them will try to reopen today. FOX 7 Austin's Tierra Neubaum has details.
SIGN UP FOR FOX 7 AUSTIN EMAIL ALERTS
Commissioner Miller specifically called on Governor Greg Abbott to designate agriculture producers and processors as critical infrastructure that must be provided gas and electricity to continue operations.
"Governor Abbott must make AG industries a priority for electricity and gas just like hospitals, first responders, fire and police. I salute all our hospital workers and first responders as they deal with this natural disaster, but they won’t have food to eat if our farmers are left without power."
"This devastating storm will end, ice will melt, temperatures will rise and Texans will get through this," added Miller, "but I’m concerned about the damage to rural Texas that will be left behind if Governor Abbott doesn’t act now."