Raw Milk

There seems to be an unexpected bright side to our bleak economic times.   For many years state legislatures have restricted raw milk citing safety.  However, current economic troubles have many states warming up to unheated milk.

Could the bad-mouthing and fear mongering of raw milk producers have been to protect the economic interest of Big Dairy and not the well being of  the American consumer?   Could it be that raw milk is NOT inherently dangerous and can be produced safely and to the highest standard of cleanliness?.  You be the judge.

Raw Milk Legislative Update

Due to the decline in pay prices for conventional dairies and the cutback in organic milk production by many organic farms because of decreased sales, state legislatures are becoming more receptive to the sale and distribution of raw milk.

Here are the latest developments:

Tennessee:

On May 21, Governor Phil Bredesen signed into law a bill (HB 721) stating that nothing in the law “shall be construed as prohibiting the independent or partial owner of any hoofed mammal from using the milk from such animal for the owner’s personal consumption or other use.”

Learn more at www.tennesseansforrawmilk.com.

Vermont:

A bill (H.125) that would increase the amount of raw milk dairy farmers can sell from the current 12.5 gallons a day to 40 gallons, has passed both the House and the Senate and is awaiting the governor’s signature. While sales are currently only allowed at the farm, any farm that complies with the additional standards can also sell milk through delivery.

Learn more at www.ftcldf.org/state_bills-VT.htm.

New Jersey:

On May 11, after a hearing on bill A621, Committee Chairman Nelson Albano (D-Cape May) said, “Our intent as a committee is to make sure that we do everything possible to help dairy farmers in the state of New Jersey. We cannot let this be a dying breed … we also have to make sure that consumers in New Jersey have the right to purchase something they can get in any other state.”

Learn more at www.ftcldf.org/state_bills-NJ.htm.

Connecticut:

A bill (HB 6313) that would have limited sales of raw milk to the farm only, died in the Joint Committee on the Environment. Raw milk can currently be sold in retail stores.

A bill (HB 6312) that previously stalled is now attached to an unrelated bill. If this bill passes into law, cow share programs would become illegal in the state unless the farmer has a retail raw milk license.

Learn more at www.ftcldf.org/state_bills-CT.htm.

Federal:

An online petition is posted at the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund website (www.ftcldf.org/petitions/index.php) in support of HR 778, a bill introduced by Congressman Ron Paul that would overturn the interstate ban on raw milk for human consumption.

Learn more at www.ftcldf.org/federal_bills-HR778.htm.