§6409 Assessments

Summary

Each fluid milk processor must pay an assessment for every unit of fluid milk product they process and sell in consumer-type packages in the United States. The assessment cannot lower prices set by Federal milk marketing orders, be taken out of what handlers pay producers for milk sold to a processor, or be deducted from the price a handler pays a producer as the Secretary decides. Processors must send the assessment directly to the Board under the order and the Secretary’s rules. Payments are due by the last day of the month after the month the milk was marketed. Payments will be checked by market administrators, State regulators, and local and State Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service offices, as the Secretary provides. Only one assessment may be charged for the same unit of milk. Producer‑handlers who pay the assessment under section 4504(g) and are fluid milk processors must also pay this assessment. Unless section 6415(b) says otherwise, the rate is 20 cents per hundredweight of milk marketed.