Judge puts freeze on pay to Pa. dairy farmers

The Associated Press

HARRISBURG — A federal judge is putting a freeze on a state order that would have generated higher payments to Pennsylvania dairy farmers.

The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reported on its Web site Monday that U.S. Middle District Judge William W. Caldwell issued a preliminary injunction on the higher premium payments for out-of-state milk sold in Pennsylvania.

The paper says about $6 million in annual payments is at issue.

The Pennsylvania Association of Milk Dealers is suing, saying the order violates interstate commerce rules and would cause irreparable fiscal harm to dealers.

Caldwell says the state can’t impose the higher payments until the lawsuit is resolved.