Release No. 127-08

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

Washington, D.C., Aug. 19, 2008 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final rule establishing supplemental rules of practice for the federal milk marketing order hearing process. The intent of this rule is to establish guidelines and timeframes to improve the timeliness of the federal milk order hearing process.

This final rule amends the general regulations for federal milk marketing agreements and marketing orders by establishing supplemental rules of practice in accordance with section 1504 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). This rule defines supplemental guidelines, timeframes and procedures for amending federal milk marketing agreements and orders; authorizes the use of informal rulemaking (5 U.S.C. 553) to amend such agreements and orders; and establishes provisions that permit the USDA to impose assessments on pooled milk under the federal milk marketing order program to fund expedited rulemaking. Such assessments would supplement appropriated funds for the procurement of services required by USDA to perform rulemaking functions. The final rule will be published in the Aug. 20 Federal Register.

For additional information contact: Bill Richmond – Marketing Specialist, USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, Stop 0231 Room 2961-S 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250 0231, (202) 720-7183, e mail address: william.richmond@usda.gov.