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USDA Calls for More Comments on Class I Definition Hearing The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will now take public comments until September 30 regarding proposed changes to the fluid milk product (Class I) definition, according to an agency announcement last week. Comments had been due by January 30, which is when the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) submitted a joint letter urging USDA to not hold a hearing on the issue at this time. Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) petitioned USDA last August to expand the Class I definition to include all milk and milk ingredients used in any beverage product, including several new milk-based drinks."We're pleased that USDA is giving the industry more time to assess the actual market impacts, if any, of these new products," said MIF Chief Economist Bob Yonkers. This is the second time that USDA has extended the comment period on the DFA proposal. Last fall, USDA had been considering holding an emergency hearing on the DFA petition, even though the request did not seek emergency status. When USDA called for public comments on a possible emergency hearing, MIF requested last September that USDA delay action for one year to allow the industry to "develop a greater knowledge base" about these new products. The hearing was never scheduled, and USDA then extended the public comment period until January 30. Yonkers noted that "in effect, USDA is now following the route that MIF suggested last autumn." To read USDA's announcement about the time extension, click here (.pdf). For more background information on this subject, click here.
Posted February 9, 2004
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