HARRISBURG, PA, — Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding has proposed a change to the regulation that governs the creation of raw milk cheese in the state. The change would allow cheese manufacturers to make a wider variety of cheeses using raw milk, and come into line with federal regulations of the Food and Drug Administration, which allow up to 57 kinds of raw-milk cheese.

Redding said the change could not only help manufacturers increase the number of raw milk cheeses but also offer dairy farmers additional outlets. There are about 90 businesses in the state that manufacture raw-milk cheese.

The proposed change is coming at a time when dairy farmers in the state are facing historically low milk prices. Redding unveiled a dairy development plan on August 15, which includes trying to lure cheese makers and other agricultural businesses to the state. The plan also includes seeking additional support for research and development, incentives for farmers to upgrade dairy equipment and capacity, and promoting the sale of milk in the state possibly with a branding campaign that pushes the health benefits of milk.

Further, the state budget for the current fiscal year includes $5 million to help dairy farmers create more value-added products.

When unveiling the plan Redding said, “Pennsylvania’s Dairy Development Plan is our attempt to lay out a plan for the future. It represents months of work gathering input from the public and industry, as well as extensive research and a hard look at Pennsylvania policy.”