Release No. 193-02

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 15, 2002 -- The United States Department of Agriculture today announced a supplement to the notice of public hearing issued on July 26, 2002, to be held to consider changes to the Northeast Federal milk marketing order.

An additional proposal, which seeks to amend the unit pooling provision by specifying that a secondary unit-pooled plant must be located within the marketing area and process at least 60 percent of total producer milk receipts as Class I or Class II products, will be considered at the hearing, in addition to those previously announced.

The hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 10, 2002, at the Embassy Suites Hotel Alexandria, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314.

For additional information regarding the hearing contact: Erik F. Rasmussen, Northeast Market Administrator; USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs; P. O. Box 1478 (Fort Point Station)Boston, MA 02205-1478; Tel. (617) 542-1478; e-mail: maboston@fedmilk1.com.

The supplemental notice of hearing will be published in the Aug. 16 Federal Register.