Release No. 262 -03

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, DC. Nov. 25, 2003 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a final rule that will make permanent provisions to the Central Milk Marketing Order that were previously implemented on an interim basis. Producers in the order have approved these amendments.

This final rule continues to prohibit the ability to simultaneously pool milk on the Central milk order when the same milk is already pooled on a state-operated milk order that has marketwide pooling. This rule also continues provisions that: establish lower but year-round supply plant performance standards; do not consider the volume of milk shipments to distributing plants regulated by another Federal milk order as a qualifying shipment on the Central order; exclude from receipts diverted milk made by a pool plant to another pool plant in determining pool plant diversion limits; and establish a "net shipments" provision for milk deliveries to distributing plants.

The final rule will be published in the Nov. 28 Federal Register. The rule becomes effective Dec. 1.

For additional information about the rule contact:

Central: Donald R. Nicholson

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 14650,

Shawnee Mission, KS. 66285-4650

Tel. (913) 495-9300; email: donald.nicholson@fmmacentral.com