Release No. 257 -03

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 4, 2003 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will reconvene a public hearing on proposals that could amend certain producer-handler provisions in the Pacific Northwest and Arizona-Las Vegas federal milk orders on Monday, Nov. 17 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, Seattle Airport, 18740 Pacific Highway S., Seattle, Wash. 98188.

The initial hearing in this proceeding was held in Tempe, Ariz., Sept. 23-25. Due to the number of witnesses seeking to present testimony on the proposals contained in the hearing notice issued in July, the hearing must be reconvened. Proposals being considered could end the regulatory exemption from the pricing and pooling provisions of the Pacific Northwest and the Arizona-Las Vegas milk marketing orders for producer-handlers whose Class I route disposition exceeds three million pounds per month in either market. Another proposal is being considered that would eliminate the ability to simultaneously pool the same milk on the Arizona-Las Vegas milk order and on a State-operated order that provides for marketwide pooling.

The notice of the reconvened hearing was published in the Oct. 31 Federal Register. Copies may be obtained from the Pacific Northwest, Arizona-Las Vegas & Western milk marketing orders office, USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, 1930 - 220th Street, S.E., Suite 102, Bothell, Washington 98021-8471 or USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, 10050 North 25th Avenue, Suite 302, Phoenix, AZ 85021-1664, or http://www.fmmaseattle.com; or AMS/Dairy Programs, USDA Stop 0231 - Room 2971, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250–0231.