Release No.240 -04

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 29 - The U. S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final decision that permanently adopts pooling provisions of the Pacific Northwest milk marketing order. These provisions were previously adopted on an interim basis. This decision is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held April 16-19, 2002, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This final decision permanently adopts an amendment to the producer milk provision that would eliminate the ability to simultaneously pool milk on the Pacific Northwest milk order when the same milk is already pooled on a State-operated milk order that has marketwide pooling.

The final decision will be published in the Dec. 30 Federal Register. USDA will conduct a vote on the amended order to determine producer approval. If producers approve the order as amended by this final decision, a final rule will follow to implement these changes on a permanent basis.

For additional information about the decision contact:

Pacific Northwest: James R. Daugherty, Market Administrator

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

1930-220th Street, S.E., Suite 102

Bothell, Washington 98021-8471

Tel. (425) 487-6009