AMS No. 051-12

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 617-7212

Samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2012 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a Recommended Decision which proposes adoption of an amendment to the Pool Plant definition of the Mideast milk marketing order.

This decision is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held Oct. 4-5, 2011, in Cincinnati, Ohio. This decision recommends that the Pool Plant definition be amended to more adequately identify the plants that service the fluid milk needs of the marketing order. Specifically, the proposed amendment would regulate fluid milk plants physically located within the Mideast marketing area that have a Class I utilization of at least 30 percent and whose combined Class I route disposition and transfers into Federal milk marketing areas are greater than 50 percent.

Comments in response to this decision must be filed by April 30, 2012 to the Hearing Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, STOP 9200-Room 1031, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC, 20250-1031. Comments may be submitted for public viewing at www.regulations.gov.

The recommended decision will be published in the Feb. 29, 2012 Federal Register.

For additional information about the decision contact: Paul Huber, USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, 1325 Industrial Parkway North, Brunswick, OH 44212; Tel. (330) 225-4758; email: phuber@fmmaclev.com.

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