How is the Interstate Milk Shippers Program administered in New York State?
A. A. This Federal/State cooperative program is designed to facilitate interstate movement of milk. Participating shippers under the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) must maintain their plants and dairy farms in substantial compliance with the Food and Drug Administration Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. These shippers must be rated once every two years, and receive a rating of 90 or above to maintain eligibility. Each year, the Division’s rating officers accompany FDA’s Regional Milk Specialists in doing check-ratings. Check-ratings are performed by the FDA to verify that the ratings given by Department raters have been maintained by the individual plants and farms since the time of rating. If the state rating and evaluation program is not operated in substantial compliance, New York State plants would be prohibited from freely moving milk and milk products in interstate commerce. The Division oversees and maintains compliance with all aspects of the Interstate Milk
