The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week agreed to drop its requirements for sediment testing of raw milk on farms where the milk is "handled by modern systems." This requirement was part of USDA's Plant Survey Program to determine eligibility for plants qualifying to sell dairy products to the federal government.

The department responded to a joint request from IDFA, the National Milk Producers Federation and the American Dairy Products Institute last December to eliminate mandatory testing. USDA intends to remove the testing requirement for all farms but those collecting milk in cans.

"This revision will remove an outdated USDA program requirement and reduce dairy industry costs for testing equipment, sampling, testing and recordkeeping," said Allen Sayler, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs and international standards.

The letter from USDA is available here.