Department of Agriculture, Rendell Petition Court to Overturn Milk Marketing Board Decision

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and his administration are petitioning Commonwealth Court to overturn a decision passed by the Milk Marketing Board to block Pennsylvania dairy farmers from collecting overhead premiums on milk sold in New Jersey. The petition contends the Board did not consider its own data and the testimony of its staff when making its decision. Russell Reading, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture says Pennsylvania a re-thinking of the Marketing Board’s decision is crucial now at a time when milk prices are at a historic low. Because of the board’s decision, Reading says only 15 percent of milk produced in the Commonwealth is subject to the premium. Pennsylvania is the fourth largest milk producer in America.