Release No.257-05

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 21, 2006 - The U. S. Department of Agriculture today announced a recommended decision to adopt amendments to the pooling provisions of the Central Milk Marketing Order. This decision is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held at Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 6-8, 2004.

The amendments recommended for adoption would increase supply plant performance standards, amend features of the “touch-base” provision, amend certain features of the “split plant” provision and decrease the diversion limit standards of the order. The decision also recommends adoption of a proposal that would limit the volume of milk a handler can pool in a month to 125 percent of the total volume of milk pooled in the previous month.

The recommended decision will be published in the Feb. 22 Federal Register. Public comments are due by April 24th.

For additional information about the decision contact:

Robert E. Vander Linden

Market Administrator

USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs

P.O. Box 14650

Shawnee Mission, KS 66285-4650

Tel. (913) 495-9300; email: market.administrator@fmmacentral.com