Release No. 065-06

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (2020 720-8998

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 19, 2006 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final rule that permanently adopts amendments to the pooling provisions of the Mideast milk marketing order that were previously implemented on an interim basis. This decision is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held at Wooster, Ohio on March 7 – 10, 2005.

The permanently adopted amendments: 1) Prohibit the ability to simultaneously pool the same milk on the Mideast Federal milk order and on a marketwide equalization pool administered by another government entity; 2) Lower the diversion limit standards; and 3) Increase the performance standards for supply plants.

Producers approved the amendments in a referendum conducted in response to the partial final decision, which was issued Jan. 17, 2006.

The decision will appear in the April 20 Federal Register. For additional information contact:

Mideast: David Z. Walker

Market Administrator

USDA-AMS-Dairy

P.O. Box 5102

1325 Industrial Parkway North

Brunswick, Ohio 44212

(330) 225-4758