Wisconsin Ag Connection - Raw Milk Group Holding Lobby Day in Madison on February 22

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Raw Milk Group Holding Lobby Day in Madison on February 22
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 01/31/2012

A newly formed group dedicated to legalizing raw milk sales in Wisconsin is holding a rally at the state capitol next month to ignite support for legislation that would overturn a state law banning the practice. The Wisconsin Raw Milk Association and its lobbyist will be coordinating the event on February 22.

Organizers say the lobby day will kick-off at 10:00 a.m. in the capitol rotunda, where attendees will then visit their local representatives to share their views on the issue.

Specifically, the WRMA is pushing SB 108, a bill authored by State Senator Glenn Grothman of West Bend that would end most state regulations for licensed producers who want to provide unpasteurized milk to the public.

The measure would allow producers to sell raw milk if they had a special license from the state, and if the customer brought their own sanitized container. The farm would also be required to hold a Grade A permit to be eligible.

In 2010, former Governor Jim Doyle vetoed a similar proposal that would have allowed farmers to sell their raw milk if there were certain safeguards in place to protect the public. But Governor Scott Walker said last year that he would likely sign a similar bill if it were to come across his desk.

Supporters have long claimed that raw milk tastes better, contains bacteria that helps fight disease and is more natural. But opponents say the entire dairy industry can suffer if just one illness or death from the product were spotlighted in the media.

Currently, 19 states allow direct sales of raw milk from dairy farmers to individuals.

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