Organic Milk Producers Petition Milk Pricing Regulations

Organic Milk Producers Petition Milk Pricing Regulations

MARSHALL, Calif.--In March, Straus Family Creamery and Horizon Organic Dairy petitioned the California Department of Food and Agriculture(CDFA) to amend existing milk pricing regulations and requested that CDFA assess organic dairy processors fees that reflect the true cost of producing organic milk. According to the companies, if the petition passes, organic processors would still pay into a pool (a program designed to ensure a sustainable income for dairy producers), but would be credited for the fact that they pay producers a higher price than conventional milk prices. "Essentially organic milk processors are being double assessed because they're paying the dairymen a fixed price for organic milk, and then are having to pay a state pool that's set up for conventional dairy producers," said Albert Straus, president and founder of Straus. "The whole idea around the petition is for the state to recognize that organic milk costs more to produce and should be credited." Interested individuals can read more about the specifics of the proposal on the CDFA Web site atwww.cdfa.ca.gov/dairy/hearing.html.