The Agriculture Department announced a once-a-decade review of the milk marketing-order system, to see if the system, in use for decades, “should be continued without change, amended, or rescinded.” About 60 percent of all milk in the country is sold under the 10 regional marketing orders, which set a minimum local price for milk. “It is designed to ensure a stable supply of fresh fluid milk for fluid processors and consumers,” says the department.
The review was announced on the heels of a request by the three biggest dairy co-ops in California for a federal marketing order for their state. “This is in no way related to the California Federal Milk Marketing Order matter,” said the USDA. There is a 60-day period for public comments.
The Federal Register notice of the review is available here. The USDA homepage for milk marketing orders is available here.