AMS Release No. 188-03

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2003 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a final decision to make certain provisions, which had previously been implemented on an interim basis, permanent under the Central Milk Marketing Order. This decision is based on testimony and evidence given at a public hearing held Nov. 14 and 15, 2001, in Kansas City, Mo.

This decision continues to eliminate 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. Other provisions 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. This final decision leaves the results of the tentative final decision, published Nov. 19, 2002, unchanged, but requires a vote by producers for final approval.

If producers approve the order as amended by this final decision, a final rule will follow to implement these changes. Details of this decision appear in today's Federal Register.

For additional information about the decision 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