The petitioner is requesting that the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services amend Section 50 of 2 VAC 5-490 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.

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.

The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services has voted to grant the petitioner’s request for rulemaking for the following reasons: 

Lowering the allowable somatic cell and bacteria counts in grade A milk will result in a safer and higher-quality product for consumers and may lead to the availability of new markets for milk and milk products produced in Virginia. Many producers are currently producing grade A milk that is in compliance with the proposed somatic cell and bacteria counts and would likely support the proposed regulatory amendments.