Release No. 238-04

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Kathryn Mattingly (202) 720-8998

kathryn.mattingly@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2004 –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final rule that will make permanent changes to the classification of milk provisions in all Federal milk marketing orders. The changes were previously implemented on an interim basis. Dairy farmers approved the amended orders through the polling of cooperative associations in eight of the marketing areas and by referenda in the Northeast and Mideast marketing areas.

This final rule 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.

The final rule will be published in the Nov. 26, Federal Register and will become effective on Dec.1, 2004.

Additional information about the rule may be obtained from market administrator offices as follows:

Northeast: Erik F. Rasmussen

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

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

Tel. (617) 737-7199; e-mail: eramussen@fedmilk1.com

Appalachian: Harold H. Friedly

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

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

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

Florida and Southeast: Sue L. Mosley

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 491778, Lawrenceville, GA 30049

Tel. (770) 682-2501; e-mail: 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; e-mail: pkyburz@fmma30.com

Central: Donald R. Nicholson

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

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

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

Mideast: David Z. Walker

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

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

Tel. (440) 826-3220; e-mail: 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; e-mail: jdaugherty@fmmaseattle.com

Southwest: J. Richard Fleming

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

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

Tel. (792) 245-6060; e-mail: sw.order@dallasma.com