When must a derogation request be submitted to AMS?

A derogation request must be submitted to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) when the somatic cell count (SCC) rolling mean exceeds 400,000. This threshold is essential as it helps maintain milk quality standards in the dairy industry. The SCC is a vital indicator of milk quality, and a high count can be indicative of mastitis or other health issues in the cows, which can affect the safety and quality of the milk produced.

By requiring a derogation request at this level, the AMS ensures that dairy producers are monitored and may need to provide justification or make necessary changes to improve the condition of their herd or milk production practices. This process helps to uphold the standards for milk quality at a national level, thereby ensuring consumer safety and trust in dairy products.

In contrast, situations like a rolling mean below 200,000, unprocessed milk, or herd management changes don't trigger this requirement, as they do not pose the same level of concern for milk quality or public health.