(UTICA) Senator Joseph A. Griffo today announced that Governor David Paterson has signed legislation which he and Assemblyman Bill Magee co-authored that’ll allow the sale of ice cream made with wine – giving a major boost to Mercer’s Dairy, one of Northern Oneida County’s major employers, as well as opening up a new market that can help New York’s dairy industry.

"There is a market for the outstanding dairy products made in New York," Griffo said. "At a time when we are seeing phenomenal growth in a wide variety of niche specialty ice creams, Mercer’s Dairy is miles ahead of the competition by having developed a highly original formula for making and selling wine-flavored ice cream. This unique product has caught the attention of states across the country and also is being exported to the European Union. But you could not buy it in New York, because New York’s laws were not crafted in such a way that would permit this new product to be sold. I went to bat in Albany for Mercer’s and for the dairy industry. Our legislation revises sections of New York’s Public Health, Agriculture and Markets and Alcohol Beverage Control Laws so that the sale of wine-flavored ice cream will no longer be regulated as an alcoholic beverage."

"We thank Senator Griffo, Assemblyman Bill Magee, our legislators, along with Governor Paterson, for taking action that will help Mercer’s and our local dairy farmers," said Roxanne Hurlburt of Mercer’s Dairy of Boonville, New York. "Farmers know that when the market gives you an opportunity, you have to act quickly to take advantage. Senator Griffo understands that as well, and he and his staff worked fast, worked hard and worked with us every step of the way to push this action so that the outstanding wine flavored ice cream that is in demand all around the country can now be enjoyed right here in New York – as long as you are over 21."

"There was a need from our regional dairy," said Assemblyman Bill Magee, "and we worked with the Administration to expedite this new idea to help our local farmers get this product out into markets." Senator Griffo and Assemblyman Magee thank Governor Paterson for signing this bill, and acknowledge their local colleagues who co-sponsored and supported the bill from the beginning – Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito and Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava.

Griffo said the bill would limit the percentage of alcohol in ice cream to not more than five per centum of alcohol by volume, prohibit its sale to persons under twenty-one years of age and requires product labeling and warning statements similar to those established for confectionery that contains alcohol.

For more information about the wine ice cream, visit: http://www.mercersdairy.com/wineicecream.php

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