Release No. 203-04

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202)720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

Washington, D.C., Sept. 30, 2004 – The U. S. Department of Agriculture today announced that a public hearing will be held, on an emergency basis, to consider a proposal to amend the Appalachian, Florida, and Southeast Federal milk marketing orders. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004 at the Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport Hotel, 1900 Sullivan Road, Atlanta, GA.

The hearing will consider a proposal that would implement a temporary supplemental charge on Class I milk which would be disbursed through a marketwide service payment provision in the three Southeastern orders. The proposal would help dairy cooperatives and dairy manufacturers offset some of the financial losses experienced as a result of recent hurricanes. Evidence will be taken at the hearing to determine whether marketing conditions exist that warrant omission of a recommended decision for the proposal.

The hearing notice appears in today’s Federal Register. Copies of the hearing notice may be obtained from the USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs, STOP 0231 - Rm. 2971, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0231. The hearing notice is also available on AMS' web site, at: www.ams.usda.gov/dairy.

The hearing notice and information about the hearing is available from the following market administrator offices:

Appalachian: Harold H. Friedly

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 18030, Louisville, KY 40261-0030

Tel. (502) 499-0040; e-mail: friedly@malouisville.com

Florida and Southeast: Sue L. Mosley

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 491778, Lawrenceville, GA 30049

Tel. (770) 682-2501; e-mail: smosley@fmmatlanta.com