PMMB Initiatives
Readington Farms plant closure producer notices
7 Pa. Code sec. 143.31 requires that dealers provide a 90-day written notice to producers before terminating a contract or purchasing agreement. 7 Pa. Code sec. 143.31(f) provides an exemption to the 90-day notice requirement in the event of a plant closure. On December 29, 2021, Reading Farms requested an exemption based on the reasons set forth in its 28-day notice request. Board Staff approved the request on January 6, 2022.
7 Pa. Code sec. 143.31(g) provides that the 28-day notice period begins on the date the exemption request is approved. Readington's 28-day notice period began on January 6, 2022.
Resources for producers who receive termination notices
7 Pa. Code sec. 143.31(j) requires the Board to provide a list of resources for producers whose contracts are terminated. The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence is the best resource on the internet for these resources. We appreciate and thank the Center for maintaining the pages at the following links:
Stress & Wellness Resources
Financial Planning Resources
Transition & Transformation Resources
Termination of dealer-producer contract
Based on a petition from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Board has developed a regulation extending to 90 days for dealers the current 28-day notice requirement to terminate a dealer-producer relationship. The regulation maintains the 28-day notice requirement for producers to terminate the relationship. The regulation also provides for waivers to address situations where a 90-day notice would financially imperil a milk dealer.
Final Form Packet 47-18
We will update this page as the regulation moves through the regulatory review process.
Update May 12, 2021: The final-form packet was delivered via email to the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees and to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. The final-form packet was also sent via email to those who participated in the development of the regulation.
Update May 17, 2021: The regulation will be considered by IRRC at its June 17, 2021, public meeting. For information regarding IRRC meeting procedures, contact IRRC.
Update June 7, 2021: The June 17 IRRC meeting will be held in person at 333 Market Street. Additional details are available on the IRRC website.
Update June 29, 2021: IRRC approved the regulation at its June 17 meeting. IRRC approval order. The final form regulation and IRRC order were submitted to the Attorney General on June 22, 2021, for final review for form and legality. The regulation will be considered by the Board at the first Sunshine Meeting following Attorney General final approval. If approved by the Board at the Sunshine Meeting, the regulation will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and become effective immediately upon publication. The Board anticipates the regulation will be on the agenda for the August 11, 2021, Sunshine Meeting.
Cooperative over-order premium line item
Based on a petition from Representative John Lawrence, the Board has developed a regulation requiring cooperatives to provide a line item on monthly statements to their members disclosing the amount of over-order premium being paid. That regulation is in the final form submission stage of the regulatory review process. The final form regulation and related documents submitted for review by the Legislative Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission is linked below.
Final Form Packet 47-20
We will update this page as the proposed regulation moves through the regulatory review process.
Update March 2, 2021: The final-form packet was delivered via email to the House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committees, then to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission ("IRRC"). The final-form packet was also sent via email to parties who participated in the development of the regulation.
The regulation is scheduled to be considered at IRRC's April 15, 2021, public meeting. The IRRC meeting agenda is on IRRC's website at IRRC April 15 meeting agenda.
Update April 8, 2021: The April 15 IRRC meeting will be held virtually. You may view the meeting at virtual April 15 IRRC meeting.
Update April 19, 2021: IRRC approved the regulation at its April 15 meeting. IRRC approval order. The final form regulation and IRRC order were submitted to the Attorney General on April 19, 2021, for final review for form and legality. Following Attorney General final approval, the regulation will be considered by the Board at its next Sunshine Meeting. If approved by the Board at the Sunshine Meeting, the regulation will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and become effective 120 days following publication. The Board anticipates the regulation will be on the agenda for the June 2, 2021, Sunshine Meeting.
Update May 3, 2021: The Attorney General approved the final-form regulation for form and legality on April 30, 2021. The regulation will be on the Board's agenda for the May 5, 2021, Sunshine Meeting. If approved by the Board, the regulation will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on May 22, 2021, and will become effective for transactions occurring as of October 1, 2021.
Update May 17, 2021: The regulation will be published in the May 29, 2021, Pennsylvania Bulletin and will be effective for transactions occurring as of October 1, 2021.
Avoidance Claim Settlement Offers from ASK LLP
Information for dairy farmers and milk haulers who received avoidance claim settlement offers from ASK LLP.
If you're a dairy farmer or milk hauler who received an avoidance claim settlement offer from ASK LLP, please read the 'Avoidance Claim Declarations Explanation' below, download the appropriate declaration (Farmer or Hauler), fill in the blanks in the Declaration, and return it to ASK LLP.
Avoidance Claim Declarations Explanation.pdf
Farmer Declaration.pdf
Hauler Declaration.pdf
COVID-19 Feedback Form - PA Dairy Processors
COVID-19_Impact-at-the-Dairy-Case_Webinar_4-1-20-1 (1)
DairyProducerFinalReport
PAHigherRetailMilkPricing
PMMB New Legislative Initiatives
AddingDirectToFarmerRevenue
Feedback form - Adding Direct to Farmer Revenue
DistributorLicensing
Feedback Form - Licensing Distributors to Collect Data from Out-of-State Milk Sold in PA