Agricultural Marketing Service
 
USDA Enjoined from Implementing Class III Butterfat Price
 
Release No. AMS-43-01

 
Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998
Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

 

 

 
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 2, 2001 - U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth enjoined USDA from implementing portions of the interim final amendments to Federal milk orders that became effective Jan.1, 2001.

 
The Judge's order restores the butterfat and protein price formulas that were implemented under Federal order reform on Jan. 1, 2000, with the following changes:
  • Incorporate the 16.5-cent make allowance for cheese and the 38-percent moisture adjustment for 500-pound barrel cheese adopted in the Jan. 1, 2001, interim final amendments.
  • Incorporate the 11.5-cent make allowance for butter adopted in the Jan. 1, 2001, amendments in the formula for calculating the butterfat price applicable to both Class III and Class IV.
  • Incorporate the Jan. 1, 2001, nonfat solids and other solids price formulas, based on the values of these components in nonfat dry milk and dry whey.

 
The tentative final decision and interim rule responded to a Congressional mandate, included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2000, to reconsider certain pricing formulas adopted in the final rule for the consolidation and reform of Federal milk orders.

 
In addition, to ensure full opportunity to comment on the tentative final decision, published on Dec. 7, 2000, the comment period is being extended to April 6, 2001. Notice of this extension will appear soon in the Federal Register.

 
The following market administrators can provide additional information about the injunction.

 
Northeast: Erik F. Rasmussen
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 1478 (FT Point Station), Boston, MA. 02205-1478
Tel. (617) 542-8966;

 
Appalachian: Arnold M. Stallings
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 18030, Louisville, KY. 40261-0030
Tel. (502) 499-0040; email: Arnold.Stallings@USDA.GOV

 
Florida and Southeast: Sue. L. Mosley
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 1208, Norcross, GA. 30091-1208
Tel. (770) 448-1194; email: Sue.Mosley@USDA.GOV

 
Upper Midwest: H. Paul Kyburz
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
Suite 210, 4570 West 77th St., Minneapolis, MN. 55435-5037
Tel. (952) 831-5292; email: Paul.Kyburz@USDA.GOV

 
Central: Donald R. Nicholson
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 14650, Shawnee Mission, KS. 66285-4650
Tel. (913) 495-9300; email: Donald.Nicholson@USDA.GOV

 
Mideast: David Walker, Acting
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 30128, Cleveland, OH. 44130-0128
Tel. (440) 826-3220;

 
Pacific Northwest, Arizona-Las Vegas, & Western: James R. Daugherty
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
Building J, Suite 102; 1930-220th St., SE., Bothell, WA. 98021-8471
Tel. (425) 487-6009; email: James.Daugherty@USDA.GOV

 
Southwest: J. Richard Fleming
USDA/AMS/Dairy Programs
P.O. Box 110939, Carrollton, TX 75011-0939
Tel. (972) 245-6060; email: Richard.Fleming@USDA.GOV