Agricultural Marketing Service
 
USDA AMS
 
AMS No. 028-08

 
Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998
becky.unkenholz@usda.gov
Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
billy.cox@usda.gov

 
WASHINGTON,March 3, 2008 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a Recommended Decision to adopt amendments to the administrative assessment rate provisions of the Appalachian, Florida and Southeast marketing orders. This decision is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held in Tampa, Fla., May 21-23, 2007.

 
The amendments would increase the maximum administrative assessment rate allowable. The amendments would specifically allow the market administrator to increase the maximum administrative assessment up to 8 cents per hundredweight on all pooled milk if necessary to maintain the required fund reserves.

 
Interested persons have until April 29, 2008 to file comments in response to this decision. Comments should be submitted by using the Federal eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov.

 
The recommended decision appeared in the Feb. 29 Federal Register.

 
For additional information about the decision contact:

 
Appalachian: Harold H. Friedly, Jr.
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 18030
Louisville, KY 40261-0030
Tel. (502) 499-0040; email: 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