Oakhurst Dairy will continue its pledge not to use artificial growth hormones in milk.

But its labels also will state that the government has not found a difference between cows that do and do not get the hormone.

The change was announced Wednesday when Oakhurst settled the lawsuit by bio-tech giant Monsanto.

In a joint statement released Wednesday morning, Oakhurst and Monsanto said the agreement resolves the dispute over artificial growth hormone labeling and meets the needs of both sides.

“The agreement addresses Oakhurst’s goal to inform consumers that its farmers pledge not to give artificial growth hormone to their cows,” the short statement said. “The agreement also addresses Monsanto’s goal that additional information be presented to consumers so that they understand that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) states that there is no significant difference in milk from cows treated with artificial growth hormone.”

Terms of the settlement were confidential. Representatives from Oakhurst and Monsanto refused to say whether money was involved in the settlement, but they did release a new Oakhurst milk label. The label now includes a small-print disclaimer “FDA states: No significant difference in milk from cows treated with artificial growth hormone.”

Representatives would not say whether Oakhurst’s television and print advertisements would be affected.

Monsanto filed its lawsuit in July to stop an Oakhurst advertising campaign that says the dairy doesn’t use milk from cows treated with artificial growth hormones, which Monsanto produces. Oakhurst maintained that it is simply stating the truth, but Monsanto said consumers were led to believe that cows treated with growth hormones produce inferior milk.

The lawsuit has drawn national attention. The state of Maine and former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader have backed Oakhurst, casting the suit as a David and Goliath battle between a small dairy and a multinational biotechnology company.

Russell Libby, head of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association in Unity, said he was frustrated by the settlement. He called it “unfair” for Oakhurst to be forced to include a disclaimer on its milk when Monsanto doesn’t have to label its products.

“It’s very expensive to fight these cases, so settlements are often what happens,” he said. “But settlements aren’t often in the best interest of consumers.”

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