TITLE 2. AGRICULTURE

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Initial Agency Notice

Title of Regulation: 2VAC5-490. Regulations Governing Grade "A" Milk.

Statutory Authority: § 3.2-5206 of the Code of Virginia.

Name of Petitioner: Virginia State Dairymen's Association.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: The petitioner is requesting that the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services amend 2VAC5-490-50 by reducing the allowed maximum somatic cell count from the current 750,000 to 500,000 somatic cells per milliliter. The petitioner also requests this section be amended to reduce the allowed maximum bacteria count from 100,000 to 50,000 bacteria per milliliter prior to commingling with any other milk.

Agency Plan for Disposition of Request: The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services will consider this request at its next scheduled meeting following the public comment period. This meeting will occur on July 24, 2018.

Public Comment Deadline: July 1, 2018.

Agency Contact: Ryan Davis, Program Manager, Office of Dairy and Foods, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-8899, or email ryan.davis@vdacs.virginia.gov.

VA.R. Doc. No. R18-34; Filed May 22, 2018, 2:03 p.m.