A commission formed to find ways to help Vermont dairy farmers has decided to hold off on creating a surcharge on milk sold here. It has opted instead to continue studying the issue.
The Vermont Milk Commission, made up of farmers, legislators, the state Agriculture commissioner and a dairy processor, has been meeting and taking testimony for about a year on a possible surcharge.
Dairy processors and retailers are opposed to having a retail milk premium only in Vermont. The Vermont Grocers Association says a regional surcharge program may be more favorable.
Some commission members worried that more study would delay the process. But others said they want to be sure the surcharge is legally defensible and review the impact it would have on consumers.
Photo: A member of the Vermont Milk Commission holds a chart showing increasing retail milk prices during a hearing in Montpelier, Vt., Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)