[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 21, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32282-32287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15105]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
7 CFR Parts 1124 and 1135

[Docket Nos. AO-368-A25, AO-380-A15; DA-95-01]


Milk in the Pacific Northwest and Southwestern Idaho-Eastern 
Oregon Marketing Areas; Notice of Hearing on Proposed Amendments to 
Tentative Marketing Agreements and Orders

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing on proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The hearing is being held to consider proposals to modify the 
pooling standards in the Pacific Northwest and Southwestern Idaho-
Eastern Oregon Federal milk orders. The hearing will also consider 
proposals to amend the Pacific Northwest order by expanding the 
marketing area to include two additional counties, modifying the 
multiple component pricing plan, providing the market administrator 
with authority to revise pooling standards and issue a ``call'' for 
milk if needed, and modifying the producer-handler definition. The 
hearing was requested by Darigold Farms, a cooperative association that 
represents a large portion of the producers on the two orders.

DATES: The hearing will convene at 9 a.m. on July 11, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the Red Lion Hotel, Lloyd 
Center, 1000 N.E. Multnomah, Portland, Oregon 97232 (503) 281-6111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clifford M. Carman, Order Formulation 
Branch, USDA/AMS/Dairy Division, Room 2968, South Building, P.O. Box 
96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456, (202) 720-9368.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This administrative action is governed by 
the provisions of sections 556 and 557 of Title 5 of the United States 
Code and, therefore, is excluded from the requirements of Executive 
Order 12866.
    Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to be held at the Red 
Lion Hotel, Lloyd Center, 1000 N.E. Multnomah, Portland, Oregon 97232, 
beginning at 9 a.m., on Tuesday, July 11, 1995, with respect to 
proposed amendments to the tentative marketing agreements and to the 
orders regulating the handling of milk in the Pacific Northwest and 
Southwestern Idaho-Eastern Oregon marketing areas.
    The hearing is called pursuant to the provisions of the 
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601-
674), and the applicable rules of practice and procedure governing the 
formulation of marketing agreements and marketing orders (7 CFR part 
900).
    The purpose of the hearing is to receive evidence with respect to 
the economic and marketing conditions which relate to the proposed 
amendments, hereinafter set forth, and any appropriate modifications 
thereof, to the tentative marketing agreements and to the orders.
    Actions under the Federal milk order program are subject to the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354). This Act seeks to ensure 
that, within the statutory authority of a program, the regulatory and 
informational requirements are tailored to the size and nature of small 
businesses. For the purpose of the Act, a dairy farm is a ``small 
business'' if it has an annual gross revenue of less than $500,000, and 
a dairy products manufacturer is a ``small business'' if it has fewer 
than 500 employees. Most parties subject to a milk order are considered 
as a small business. Accordingly, interested parties are invited to 
present evidence on the probable regulatory and informational impact of 
the hearing proposals on small businesses. Also, parties may suggest 
modifications of these proposals for the purpose of tailoring their 
applicability to small businesses.
    The information collection requirements in the order provisions 
proposed to be amended in this notice of hearing have been previously 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
provisions of Title 44 U.S.C. chapter 35 and have been assigned OMB 
control number 0581-0032.
    The amendments to the rules proposed herein have been reviewed 
under Executive Order 12778, Civil Justice Reform. They are not 
intended to have a retroactive effect. If adopted, the proposed 
amendments would not preempt any state or local laws, regulations, or 
policies, unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this 
rule.
    The Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act provides that 
administrative proceedings must be exhausted before parties may file 
suit in court. Under section 8c(15)(A) of the Act, any handler subject 
to an order may file with the Secretary a petition stating that the 
order, any provision of the order, or any obligation imposed in 
connection with the order is not in accordance with the law and 
requesting a modification of an order or to be exempted from the order. 
A handler is afforded the opportunity for a hearing on the petition. 
After a hearing the Secretary would rule on the petition. The Act 
provides that the district court of the United States in any district 
in which the handler is an inhabitant, or has its principal place of 
business, has jurisdiction in equity to review the Secretary's ruling 
on the petition, provided a bill in equity is filed not later than 20 
days after the date of the entry of the ruling.
    Interested parties who wish to introduce exhibits should provide 
the Presiding Officer at the hearing with six copies of such exhibits 
for the Official Record. Also, it would be helpful if additional copies 
are available for the use of other participants at the hearing.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Parts 1124 and 1135

    Milk marketing orders.

    The authority citation for 7 CFR Parts 1124 and 1135 continue to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 601-674.

    The proposed amendments, as set forth below, have not received the 
approval of the Secretary of Agriculture.

[[Page 32283]]

Proposed by Darigold Farms

Proposal No. 1
    1. Amend Sec. 1135.7 by adding a new paragraph (d) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1135.7  Pool plant.

* * * * *
    (d) The market administrator may increase or decrease the shipping 
requirements if the market administrator finds that such revision is 
necessary to encourage needed shipments or to prevent uneconomic 
shipments. Before making such a finding, the market administrator shall 
investigate the need for revision either on the market administrator's 
own initiative or at the request of interested parties. If the 
investigation shows that a revision of the shipping requirements might 
be appropriate, the market administrator shall issue a notice stating 
that the revision is being considered and invite data, views, and 
arguments. Any request for revision of shipping percentages shall be 
filed with the market administrator no later than the 15th day of the 
month prior to the month for which the requested revision is desired to 
be effective.
    2. Amend Sec. 1135.13 by revising paragraphs (f)(2) and (f)(3), 
revising the first sentence of paragraph (f)(4), revising the second 
sentence of paragraph (f)(5) and by adding a new paragraph (f)(7) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 1135.13  Producer milk.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) During each of the months of September through November milk of 
a dairy farmer shall not be eligible for diversion unless during the 
month one day's production of milk of such dairy farmer is physically 
received as producer milk at a pool plant.
    (3) The total quantity of milk diverted by a cooperative 
association during any month may not exceed 80 percent during the 
months of September through April and 90 percent during the months of 
May through August of the producer milk that the cooperative 
association causes to be delivered to or diverted from pool plants 
during the month. * * *
    (4) The total quantity of milk diverted during the month by a 
proprietary bulk tank handler described in Sec. 1135.9(d) may not 
exceed 80 percent during the months of September through April and 90 
percent during the months of May through August of the producer milk 
that the handler causes to be delivered to or diverted from pool plants 
during the month;
    (5) * * * The total quantity so diverted during any month may not 
exceed 80 percent during the months of September through April and 90 
percent during the months of May through August of the producer milk 
received at or diverted from such pool plant during the month that is 
eligible to be diverted by the plant operator; and
    (6) * * *
    (7) The market administrator may increase or decrease the diversion 
limitations in paragraphs (f)(3), (f)(4) and (f)(5) of this section if 
the market administrator finds that such revision is necessary to 
prevent uneconomic handling or shipments of milk. Before making such a 
finding the market administrator shall investigate the need for 
revision either on the market administrator's own initiative or at the 
request of interested parties. If the investigation shows that a 
revision might be appropriate, the market administrator shall issue a 
notice stating that the revision is being considered and invite data, 
views, and arguments. Any request for revision of diversion limitations 
shall be filed with the market administrator no later than the 15th day 
of the month prior to the month for which the requested revision is 
desired effective.

Proposed by Darigold Farms

Proposal No. 2
    1. Amend Sec. 1124.2, Pacific Northwest marketing area, to include 
the two additional Washington counties of Clallam and Jefferson.
    2. Amend Sec. 1124.7 by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec. 1124.7  Pool plant.

* * * * *
    (c) The market administrator may increase or decrease the shipping 
requirements if the market administrator finds that such revision is 
necessary to encourage needed shipments or to prevent uneconomic 
shipments. Before making such a finding the market administrator shall 
investigate the need for revision either on the market administrator's 
own initiative or at the request of interested parties. If the 
investigation shows that a revision of the shipping requirements might 
be appropriate, the market administrator shall issue a notice stating 
that the revision is being considered and invite data, views, and 
arguments. Any request for revision of shipping percentages shall be 
filed with the market administrator no later than the 15th day of the 
month prior to the month for which the requested revision is desired 
effective.
* * * * *
    3. Amend Sec. 1124.13 by revising paragraph (c) and adding a new 
paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec. 1124.13  Producer milk.

* * * * *
    (c) The following conditions shall apply to diverted producer milk:
    (1) A cooperative association or its agent may divert for its 
account the milk of any producer. The total quantity of milk diverted 
may not exceed 80 percent during the months of September through April 
and 90 percent during the months of May through August of the total 
quantity of producer milk which the association or its agent causes to 
be delivered to pool distributing plants or diverted. The percentage 
limits on diversions specified in this paragraph shall not apply to a 
cooperative reserve supply unit defined in Sec. 1124.11;
    (2) A handler other than a cooperative association that operates a 
pool plant may divert milk for its account to other plants or pursuant 
to Sec. 1124.40(b)(3). The total quantity of milk so diverted may not 
exceed 80 percent during the months of September through April and 90 
percent during the month of May through August of the milk received at 
such handler's pool plant or diverted by such handler from any producer 
other than a member of a cooperative association which markets milk 
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section and for which the operator of 
such plant is the handler during the month;
* * * * *
    (e) The market administrator may increase or decrease the diversion 
limitations (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section if the market 
administrator finds that such revision is necessary to prevent 
uneconomic handling or shipments of milk. Before making such a finding 
the market administrator shall investigate the need for revision either 
on the market administrator's own initiative or at the request of 
interested parties. If the investigation shows that a revision might be 
appropriate, the market administrator shall issue a notice stating that 
the revision is being considered and invite data, views, and arguments. 
Any request for revision of diversion limitations shall be filed with 
the market administrator no later than the 15th day of the month prior 
to the month for which the requested revision is desired to be 
effective.
    4. Amend Sec. 1124.30 by revising paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) 
and (c)(1) through (c)(3) as follows: [[Page 32284]] 


Sec. 1124.30  Reports of receipts and utilization.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Milk received directly from producers (including such handler's 
own production) and the pounds of protein and pounds of nonfat milk 
solids other than protein (other solids) contained therein;
    (ii) Milk received from a cooperative association pursuant to 
Sec. 1124.9(c) and the pounds of protein and of nonfat milk solids 
other than protein (other solids) contained therein;
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) The pounds of skim milk, butterfat, protein, and nonfat milk 
solids other than protein (other solids) received from producers;
    (2) The utilization of skim milk, butterfat, protein, and nonfat 
milk solids other than protein (other solids) for which it is the 
handler pursuant to Sec. 1124.9(b); and
    (3) The quantities of skim milk, butterfat, protein, and nonfat 
milk solids other than protein (other solids) delivered to each pool 
plant pursuant to Sec. 1124.9(c).
* * * * *
    5. Amend Sec. 1124.31 by revising paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1) to 
read as follows:


Sec. 1124.31  Payroll reports.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) The total pounds of milk received from each producer, the 
pounds of butterfat, the pounds of protein, and nonfat milk solids 
other than protein (other solids) contained in such milk, and the 
number of days on which milk was delivered by the producer during the 
month;
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) The total pounds of milk received from each producer and the 
pounds of butterfat, pounds of protein, and nonfat milk solids other 
than protein (other solids) contained in such milk;
* * * * *
    6. Amend Sec. 1124.50 by revising paragraph (g) and adding a new 
paragraph (h) to read as follows:


Sec. 1124. 50  Class and component prices.

* * * * *
    (g) Protein price. The protein price per pound, rounded to the 
nearest one-hundredth cent, shall be 1.32 times the average monthly 
price per pound for 40-pound block Cheddar cheese on the National 
Cheese Exchange as reported by the Department.
    (h) Other solids price. Other solids are herein defined as nonfat 
milk solids other than protein. The other solids price per pound, 
rounded to the nearest one-hundredth cent, shall be the skim milk price 
times .965, less the average protein test of the basic formula price as 
reported by the Department for the month times the protein price, and 
dividing the resulting amount by the market average nonfat milk solids 
other than protein (other solids) test of producer milk. If the 
resulting price is less than zero, then the protein price will be 
reduced so that the other solids price equals zero.
    7. Revise Sec. 1124.53 to read as follows:


Sec. 1124.53  Announcement of class and component prices.

    On or before the 5th day of each month, the market administrator 
shall announce publicly the following prices:
    (a) The Class I price for the following month.
    (b) The Class II price for the following month.
    (c) The Class III price for the preceding month.
    (d) The Class III-A price for the preceding month.
    (e) The skim milk price for the preceding month.
    (f) The butterfat price for the preceding month.
    (g) The protein price for the preceding month.
    (h) The butterfat differential price for the preceding month.
    8. Amend Sec. 1124.60 by revising paragraph (e), renaming 
paragraphs (f) through (m) as paragraphs (g) through (n), adding a new 
paragraph (f), changing the reference in the introductory text of 
paragraph (g) from (f)(6) to (g)(6), revising paragraph (g)(3), 
renumbering paragraphs (g)(4) through (g)(6) as (g)(5) through (g)(7), 
adding a new paragraph (g)(4), revising paragraph (h)(3), renumbering 
paragraphs (h)(4) through (h)(6) as paragraphs (h)(5) through (h)(7), 
adding a new paragraph (h)(4), and revising paragraph (h)(7), to read 
as follows:
Sec. 1124.60  Computation of handler's obligations to pool.

* * * * *
    (e) Multiply the protein price for the month by the pounds of 
protein associated with the pounds of producer skim milk in Class II 
and Class III during the month. The pounds of protein shall be computed 
by multiplying the producer skim milk pounds so assigned by the 
percentage of protein in the handler's receipts of producer skim milk 
during the month for each report filed separately;
    (f) Multiply the other solids price for the month by the pounds of 
nonfat milk solids other than protein (other solids) associated with 
the pounds of producer skim milk in Class II and Class III during the 
month. The pounds of nonfat milk solids other than protein (other 
solids) shall be computed by multiplying the producer skim milk pounds 
so assigned by the percentage of nonfat milk solids other than protein 
(other solids) in the handler's receipts of producer skim milk during 
the month for each report filed separately;
    (g) * * *
    (3) Multiply the pounds of protein associated with the skim milk 
pounds assigned to Class II and III by the protein price;
    (4) Multiply the pounds of nonfat milk solids other than protein 
(other solids) associated with the skim milk pounds assigned to Class 
II and III by the other solids price;
* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (3) Multiply the pounds of protein associated with the skim milk 
pounds assigned to Class II and III by the protein price;
    (4) Multiply the pounds of nonfat milk solids other than protein 
(other solids) associated with the skim milk pounds assigned to Class 
II and III by the other solids price;
* * * * *
    (7) Subtract the Class III value of the milk at the previous 
month's protein, other milk solids, and butterfat prices;
* * * * *
    9. Revise Sec. 1124.61 to read as follows:


Sec. 1124.61  Computation of statistical uniform price.

    A statistical uniform price for each month shall be computed by the 
market administrator as follows:
    (a) Multiply the butterfat price computed pursuant to 
Sec. 1124.50(f) times 3.50;
    (b) Multiply the protein price computed pursuant to Sec. 1124.50(g) 
times the market average protein test;
    (c) Multiply the producer other solids price computed pursuant to 
Sec. 1124.62 times the market average other solids test; and
    (d) Add paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section. The result 
shall be the statistical uniform price for milk containing 3.50 percent 
butterfat and market average protein and other solids.
    10. Revise Sec. 1124.62 to read as follows: [[Page 32285]] 


Sec. 1124.62  Computation of producer other solids price.

    The producer other solids price shall be computed by the market 
administrator each month as follows:
    (a) Combine into one total the value computed pursuant to 
Sec. 1124.60 (a) through (c) and (f) through (n) for all handlers who 
filed the reports prescribed by Sec. 1124.30 for the month and who made 
the payments pursuant to Sec. 1124.71 for the preceding month;
    (b) Add an amount equal to not less than one-half of the 
unobligated balance in the producer-settlement fund;
    (c) Divide the resulting amount by the total pounds of other solids 
in producer milk; and
    (d) Subtract not less than 4 cents per hundredweight nor more than 
5 cents per hundredweight of the total pounds of milk used in 
Sec. 1124.61(c).
    11. Revise Sec. 1124.63 to read as follows:


Sec. 1124.63  Announcement of producer prices.

    On or before the 14th day after the end of each month, the market 
administrator shall announce the following prices and information:
    (a) The protein price;
    (b) The other solids price;
    (c) The producer other solids price;
    (d) The butterfat price;
    (e) The average protein test and other solids test of producer 
milk; and
    (f) The statistical uniform price for milk containing 3.5 percent 
butterfat.
    12. Amend Sec. 1124.71 by revising paragraph (b)(3) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1124.71  Payments to the producer-settlement fund.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) The value at the statistical uniform price adjusted for the 
location of the plant(s) at which received (not to be less than zero) 
with respect to the total hundredweight of skim milk and butterfat in 
other source milk for which a value was computed or such handler 
pursuant to Sec. 1124.60(k); and
* * * * *
    13. Amend Sec. 1124.73 by revising paragraphs (a)(2)(ii), 
(a)(2)(iii), (c), (c)(1), and (f)(2)to read as follows:


Sec. 1124.73  Payments to producers and to cooperative associations.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) Add the amount that results from multiplying the protein price 
for the month by the total pounds of protein in the milk received from 
the producer;
    (iii) Add the amount that results from multiplying the producer 
other solids price for the month by the total pounds of other solids in 
the milk received from the producer;
* * * * *
    (c) Each handler shall pay to each cooperative association which 
operates a pool plant, or the cooperative's duly authorized agent, for 
butterfat, protein, and other milk solids received from such plant in 
the form of fluid milk products as follows:
    (1) On or before the second day prior to the date specified in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, for butterfat, protein, and other 
milk solids received during the first 15 days of the month at not less 
than the butterfat, protein, and other milk solids prices, respectively 
for the preceding month; and
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) The total pounds of milk delivered by the producer, the pounds 
of butterfat, protein, and other milk solids contained therein, and, 
unless previously provided, the pounds of milk in each delivery;
* * * * *
    14. Amend Sec. 1124.75 by revising paragraphs (a)(1)(i) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1124.75  Payments by a handler operating partially regulated 
distributing plant.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1)(i) The obligation that would have been computed pursuant to 
Sec. 1124.60 at such plant shall be determined as though such plant 
were a pool plant. For purposes of such computation, receipts at such 
nonpool plant from a pool plant or an other order plant shall be 
assigned to the utilization at which classified at the pool plant or 
other order plant and transfers from such nonpool plant to a pool plant 
or an other order plant shall be classified as Class II or Class III 
milk if allocated to such class at the pool plant or other order plant 
and be valued at the uniform price, estimated uniform price or 
statistical uniform price of the respective order if so allocated to 
Class I milk, except that reconstituted skim milk in filled milk shall 
be valued at the Class III price. No obligation shall apply to Class I 
milk transferred to a pool plant or another order plant if such Class I 
utilization is assigned to receipts at the partially regulated 
distributing plant from pool plants and other order plants at which an 
equivalent amount of milk was classified and priced as Class I milk. 
There shall be included in the obligation so computed a charge in the 
amount specified in Sec. 1124.60(k) and a credit in the amount 
specified in Sec. 1124.71(b)(3) with respect to receipts from an 
unregulated supply plant, except that the credit for receipts of 
reconstituted skim milk in filled milk shall be at the Class III price, 
unless an obligation with respect to such plant is computed as 
specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section; and
* * * * *

Proposed by Farmers Cooperative Creamery

Proposal No. 3
    Amend Sec. 1124.7 by revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:


Sec. 1124.7  Pool plant.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) With respect to a supply plant operated by a cooperative 
association, the producer milk of its members which it caused to be 
delivered directly from their farms to pool distributing plants, for 
the purpose of this paragraph, may, upon written request to the market 
administrator prior to the month in which it is effective, have such 
deliveries considered as a receipt at the cooperative's supply plant 
and a shipment from the supply plant to pool distributing plants;

Proposed by National All-Jersey Inc.

Proposal No. 4
    Modify the multiple component pricing plan in Order 1124 from the 
current two components (fat and solids-not-fat) to a three component 
plan (fat, protein, and other solids) as follows:
    1. Butterfat. The butterfat price per pound, rounded to the nearest 
one-hundredth cent, is the Class II price plus an amount computed by 
multiplying the butterfat differential by 965 and dividing the 
resulting amount by one hundred.
    2. Protein. The protein price per pound, rounded to the nearest 
one-hundredth cent, is 1.32 times the average monthly price per pound 
for 40-pound block Cheddar cheese on the National Cheese Exchange as 
reported by the Department plus 1.95 times the average monthly price 
per pound for whey powder (West) as reported by Dairy Market News.
    3. Other solids price. This is a residual price. The other solids 
price per pound, rounded to the nearest one-hundredth cent, is computed 
by subtracting from the basic formula price, 3.5 times the butterfat 
price per pound and the protein price per pound times the M-W average 
protein content. The result is divided by Order 124 other solids 
content. [[Page 32286]] 
    4. Weighted average differential per hundredweight. The weighted 
average differential includes each producer's share of the Class I, II, 
and III-A differentials. Any differences in component levels of milk 
used in Class I versus Class II and III will be reconciled in the 
weighted average differential price. The result is that both the 
handler protein and other solids prices would be identical. There would 
be no need for a protein or other solids pool.
    5. Handler obligations. Handler obligations only change for milk 
allocated to Class II, III, and III-A. There is no change in a 
handler's obligation for milk allocated to Class I. Handlers' 
obligations are as follows:
Class I Handler Obligations
    A. Skim milk price per cwt. x total cwt. of skim purchased.
    B. Butterfat price per pound x total pounds of butterfat purchased.
    C. Class I differential price per cwt. x total cwt of milk 
purchased.
Class II Handler Obligations
    A. Protein price per pound x total pounds of protein purchased.
    B. Other solids price per pound x total pounds of other solids 
purchased.
    C. Butterfat price per pound x total pounds of butterfat purchased.
    D. Class II differential price per cwt. x total cwt. of milk 
purchased.

Class III Handler Obligations

    A. Protein price per pounds x total pounds of protein purchased.
    B. Other solids price per pound x total pounds of other solids 
purchased.
    C. Butterfat price per pound x total pounds of butterfat purchased.

Class III-A Handler Obligations

    A. Protein price per pound x total pounds of protein purchased.
    B. Other solids price per pound x total pounds of other solids 
purchased.
    C. Butterfat price per pound x total pounds of butterfat purchased.
    D. The difference between the Class III price and the Class III-A 
price x the total cwt. of milk purchased.
    6. Producer payments. Producers would be paid for their milk 
production based on four factors as follows:
    A. Protein price per pound x the total pounds of protein 
production.
    B. Other solids price per pound x total pounds of other solids 
production.
    C. Butterfat price per pound x total pounds of butterfat 
production.
    D. Weighted average differential per cwt. (each producer's share of 
Class I, II, and III-A differentials) x total cwt. of milk production.
    7. Change any other order provisions needed to implement this MCP 
plan.

Proposed by Oregon Washington Dairy Processors Association

Proposal No. 5
    1. Amend Sec. 1124.7 by adding a new paragraph (d)(7) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1124.7  Pool plant.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (7) A government agency plant.
    2. Amend Sec. 1124.8 by adding a new paragraph (f) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1124.8  Nonpool plant.

* * * * *
    (f) Governmental Agency plant means a plant owned and operated by a 
government institution from which fluid milk products are distributed 
as route dispositions to state institutions not for resale. Such plants 
shall be exempt from all provisions of this part regarding dispositions 
to state correctional institutions not for resale. All other fluid milk 
products shall be subject to Sec. 1124.76(b).
    3. Amend Sec. 1124.10 by removing the last sentence from the 
introductory text, revising paragraphs (c)(2) and (c)(2)(i), and 
deleting paragraph (c)(2)(ii) to read as follows:


Sec. 1124.10  Producer-handler.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) The producer-handler handles fluid milk products derived from 
sources other than the milk production and resources specified in 
paragraph (b) of this section, except as specified below:
    (i) A producer-handler may receive fluid milk products from pool 
plants if such receipts do not exceed a daily average of 100 pounds 
during the month.
* * * * *
    4. Amend Sec. 1124.12 by adding a new paragraph (b)(6) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1124.12  Producer.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (6) Any government institution which produces milk in conjunction 
with the operation of a plant exempt from provisions of this part 
pursuant to Sec. 1124.8(f).
    5. A new Sec. 1124.19 is added under the title ``Definitions'' to 
read as follows:


Sec. 1124.19  Call for milk.

    Call for milk means the response undertaken by any cooperative 
association, including one qualified as a cooperative reserve supply 
unit pursuant to Sec. 1124.11, to supply producer milk to a 
distribution plant in accordance with a request made by the market 
administrator. The market administrator may issue a request for 
specific cooperatives to supply bulk fluid milk to one or more 
distributing plants whenever he finds that such supplies are needed at 
such plant(s) to fulfill their needs for milk for Class I purposes:
    (a) Before making a finding that additional supplies are needed for 
Class I purposes the market administrator shall investigate such need 
in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sec. 1124.11(b)(1).
    (b) Any cooperative with an adequate supply of producer milk within 
125 miles of distribution plants included in the call may be requested 
by the market administrator to respond on a timely basis. Producer milk 
being directed to other plants for manufacturing purposes will be 
considered to constitute an appropriate alternative supply for Class I 
use.
    (1) Failure of a cooperative reserve supply unit to comply with any 
announced shipping requirements, including making any significant 
change in the unit's marketing operation that the market administrator 
determines has the impact of evading or forcing such an announcement, 
shall result in immediate loss of cooperative reserve supply unit 
status until such time as the unit has been a handler pursuant to 
Sec. 1124.9 (b) and (c) for at least 12 consecutive months.
    (2) Failure of other cooperatives to comply with a call for milk 
will result in a loss of producer milk status for an equivalent volume 
of milk that is delivered to manufacturing plants during the period 
when the call is effective.
    (3) Cooperatives, other than cooperative reserve supply units, 
notified of a loss of producer milk status for violation of this 
provision shall identify those producers and the amount of their milk 
not eligible for diversion during the call period. Failure of the 
cooperative to designate such producers and the respective amounts of 
milk shall result in the forfeiture of producer milk status for all 
milk diverted to nonpool manufacturing plants during the month.

Proposed by Dairy Division, Agricultural Marketing Service

Proposal No. 6
    Make such changes as may be necessary to make the entire marketing 
agreements and the orders conform with [[Page 32287]] any amendments 
thereto that may result from this hearing.
    Copies of this notice of hearing and the orders may be procured 
from the Market Administrator of the aforesaid marketing areas, or from 
the Hearing Clerk, Room 1083, South Building, United States Department 
of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250, or may be inspected there.
    Copies of the transcript of testimony taken at the hearing will not 
be available for distribution through the Hearing Clerk's Office. If 
you wish to purchase a copy, arrangements may be made with the reporter 
at the hearing.
    From the time that a hearing notice is issued and until the 
issuance of a final decision in a proceeding, Department employees 
involved in the decisional process are prohibited from discussing the 
merits of the hearing issues on an ex parte basis with any person 
having an interest in the proceeding. For this particular proceeding, 
the prohibition applies to employees in the following organizational 
units:

Office of the Secretary of Agriculture
Office of the Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service
Office of the General Counsel
Dairy Division, Agricultural Marketing Service (Washington office) and 
the Offices of all Market Administrators.

    Procedural matters are not subject to the above prohibition and may 
be discussed at any time.

    Dated: June 15, 1995.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-15105 Filed 6-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P