01- 015 C.M.R. ch. 28, § II
Pursuant to the Milk Commission Law 7 M.R.S.A., §2951et seq. the Commission conducted informational hearings as part of its investigation previous to formal rule making hearings. The process started in August 1993 when one major Maine dairy processor inquired what the Commission's position would be regarding a national dealers referendum for a monthly milk promotion fee of $0.20/cwt.
The Milk Commission developed their position on the Milk Promotion Fee over the next five months as the rule making process continued and as dealers, producers and Commission intervenors provided both formal and informal input.
The dealer referendum took place in October 1993 and the results made known November 1993. The program passed with 72% of the voting companies approving the promotion order. Those companies voting yes account for 77% of the total volume of fluid milk products marketed in the U.S. The first assessment of $0.20/cwt will be announced with the January 5 federal order advance Class I price announcement applicable to all Class I milk sales in February. Processors will be required to remit the first assessment payment to the National Processor Board by the end of March. Subsequent assessments will also be announced each month with the federal order Class I price announcements.
The test period of $0.20/cwt fee assessment to be contributed by milk processors will apply February through July 1994; thereafter the fee assessment may vary. The processors asked the Milk Commission to include in monthly minimum wholesale and retail prices the assessment. At $0.20/cwt. the minimum cost will be $0.0172 per gallon when included in the monthly Commission minimums.
01- 015 C.M.R. ch. 28, § II