Bill > HB476

This bill replaces the milk producers emergency relief fund with the dairy premium fund. The dairy premium fund is established to provide payments to milk producers in New Hampshire, regardless of where their milk is shipped. Participation by milk processors is voluntary, but those who participate must label a portion of their milk as "dairy premium program milk" and collect a premium from its sales, which is then remitted to the department of agriculture. The commissioner is authorized to adopt rules related to the program, including verification of milk production and sales, logo development, and certification for use of the program's logo. The dairy premium fund board is established to advise the commissioner on program policies and rules. The bill also prohibits the mislabeling of milk as "fresh," "New Hampshire fresh," or "northeastern fresh" if it does not meet certain requirements, and imposes penalties for knowingly violating this provision.

Agriculture and Natural Resources