HELENA — A Board of Livestock proposal to impose a fee for milk assessment inspections on dairy farmers in Montana has stalled.
The Economic Affairs Interim Committee on Thursday withdrew its objection to the proposed fee after a member of the board told members they would change the proposal.
The proposal would have nearly double the charge for milk producers and add a minimum $725 fee per month for processors, including cheesemakers and large producers who are not charged under current rules.
The proposal had met vocal opposition from Montana dairy producers, who said they would not be able to pay the increased fees. Critics say the proposal punished small producers.
The Economic Affairs committee requested the assessment be delayed and five of the eight committee members objected to the rule notice.