Release No. 071 -04

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202)720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, DC April 23, 2004 - The U. S. Department of Agriculture today issued an interim order amending the current classification of milk provisions of all Federal milk marketing orders. USDA determined dairy farmers’ approval by polling cooperative associations in eight of the marketing areas and by conducting referenda in the Northeast and Mideast marketing areas.

This interim order reclassifies milk used to produce evaporated milk in consumer-type packages or sweetened condensed milk in consumer-type packages from Class III to Class IV.

These interim amendments to the orders will become effective on May 1, 2004. Public comments on the Tentative Final Decision published in the Federal Register February 27, 2004, are due May 3, 2004.

The interim order rule and additional background information can be accessed on the web at http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy. Copies of this interim order and additional information also may be obtained by contacting any of the following market administrator offices:

Northeast: Erik F. Rasmussen

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 51478 (FT Point Station), Boston, MA. 02205-1478

Tel. (617) 737-7199; email: erasmussen@fedmilk1.com

Appalachian: Harold H. Friedly

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 18030, Louisville, KY. 40261-0030

Tel. (502) 499-0040; email: friedly@malouisville.com

Florida and Southeast: Sue L. Mosley

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 491778, Lawrenceville, GA. 30049

Tel. (770) 682-2501; email: smosley@fmmatlanta.com

Upper Midwest: H. Paul Kyburz

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

Suite 210, 4570 West 77th St., Minneapolis, MN. 55435-5037

Tel. (952) 831-5292; email: pkyburz@fmma30.com

Central: Donald R. Nicholson

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 14650, Shawnee Mission, KS. 66285-4650

Tel. (913) 495-9300; email: donald.nicholson@fmmacentral.com

Mideast: David Z. Walker

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 30128, Cleveland, OH. 44130-0128

Tel. (440) 826-3220; email: dwalker@fmmaclev.com

Pacific Northwest & Arizona-Las Vegas: James R. Daugherty

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

Building J, Suite 102; 1930-220th St., SE., Bothell, WA. 98021-8471

Tel. (425) 487-6009; email: jdaugherty@fmmaseattle.com

Southwest: J. Richard Fleming

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 110939, Carrollton, TX 75011-0939

Tel. (972) 245-6060;

email: sw.order@dallasma.com