Release No. 114 -04

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2004 –– The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final rule that will make permanent changes to the Pacific Northwest Federal Milk Marketing Order. The changes were previously implemented on an interim basis. Producers in the Pacific Northwest milk market approved these amendments.

Specifically, this final rule permanently adopts a "cooperative pool manufacturing plant" provision, a diversion limit of 80 percent of total producer receipts for a pool plant, system pooling for cooperative manufacturing plants, and the touch-base standard for the number of days during the month that the milk of a producer would need to be delivered to a pool plant in order for the rest of the milk of that producer to be eligible to be diverted to nonpool plants.

Additionally, this final rule maintains the authority granted to the market administrator to adjust the touch-base standard. The final rule will be published in the June 23 Federal Register and will become effective July 1, 2004.

For additional information about the rule contact: James R. Daugherty, Pacific Northwest Market Administrator; USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs; 1930 - 220th Street, S.E., Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98021-8471; Tel. (425)487-6009; email:fmmaseattle@fmmaseattle.com