The Idaho State Department of Agriculture will be lowering the current Somatic Cell Count (SCC) tolerance of 500,000 to 400,000 effective June 1. The Rule change will be considered a temporary Rule until it is finalized in the 2013 Idaho Legislative Session. The change, the first by any state in the nation, was endorsed by both the Idaho Milk Processors Association and the Board of Directors of the United Dairymen of Idaho.
The lowering to 400,000 level will make all Idaho raw milk European Union (E.U.) compliant and eligible to export to the E.U., which is critical for a state so dependent on outside markets for the numerous dairy products produced in Idaho.
The 400,000 limit will be enforced as outlined in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. PD
—From Idaho Dairymen's Association newsletter
