Release No.. 258-06

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (2020 &20-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 30, 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. These amendments were previously discussed in a recommended decision. This rule is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held in Wooster, Ohio, from March 7-10, 2005.

The permanently adopted amendments: establish a limit on the volume of milk a handler may pool during the months of April through February to 115 percent of the volume of milk pooled in the prior month; and establish a limit on the volume of milk a handler may pool during the month of March to 120 percent of the volume of milk pooled in the prior month.

These amendments will assist in identifying the milk of those producers who regularly and consistently service the fluid needs of the market and subsequently have all of their milk pooled and priced under the order.

A majority of producers that pool on the Mideast order approved these amendments which become effective Dec. 1, 2006. The final rule appears in today’s Federal Register

For additional information about the decision contact:

David Z. Walker

Market Administrator USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 5102

1325 Industrial Parkway North

Brunswick, Ohio 44212

Tel. (330) 225-4758; email: dwalker@fmmaclev.com