Hundreds pack raw milk hearing in Eau Claire, WI

[undeterred]

Hundreds pack raw milk hearing in Eau Claire by Rick Barrett


Margo and David Redmond of Madison listen to testimony at the public hearing on legislation that would legalize sales of raw milk to consumers. The hearing attracted about 450 people, many of them raw milk advocates, to Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire.


Eau Claire — Hundreds of raw milk advocates packed a legislative hearing Wednesday, demanding the right to buy and sell unpasteurized dairy products that some claim have powerful health benefits but that detractors call dangerous.

Bills in the state Legislature would allow consumers to buy raw milk and other dairy products directly from farms and exempt farmers from liability if someone becomes ill from pathogens in the milk. Advocates say the dairy state's handling of the issue will send an important signal to the rest of the country. With the exception of limited, incidental sales, state law prohibits the sale of unpasteurized milk to the public because it could carry bacteria that cause food-borne illnesses.

Raw milk advocates want the law changed, saying consumers should be able to decide whether the health benefits of drinking unpasteurized milk outweigh the risks. "It is not the role of the state to protect people by eliminating all risks and intruding unnecessarily into their lives," testified Margo Redmond, a raw milk consumer from Madison. "Please don't protect me from myself, telling me what I can and cannot drink."

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection officials oppose allowing sales of raw milk to the general public, saying it could lead to outbreaks of food-borne illnesses with deadly consequences. "Our job is to protect public health. We believe the law, the way it's written now, does that as best as possible," said Steve Ingham, administrator of the agency's food safety division. Since 2000, four outbreaks of illness due to Campylobacter infection have been linked to unpasteurized milk or unpasteurized dairy products. Those outbreaks sickened at least 131 people, according to the Wisconsin Division of Public Health.

Much more at: http://www.jsonline.com/business/87234707.html

[tech9413]

1. The only milk I drink is raw milk

It's not just the taste but after you pasteurize and homogenize, you've killed all the beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and microbes that make it a healthful drink.
Take you're 2% store bought junk and pour it down the drain.

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. I grew up on it. Six quart bottles outside the door with little foil caps.

We loved it.

[undeterred]

3. Its really interesting how so many think of freedom

as freedom from government intervention... as if the government itself were the problem and not the corporate influence over it.

[HeresyLives]

4. Good way to get tuberculosis and typhoid back.

[flvegan]

5. Ugh. Worst shit you can put in your body. n/t

[donco6]

6. And the same people won't get their kids immunized. Go figger. n/t

[Pharlo]

7. I am not being facetious when I say that if these

people REALLY wanted raw milk that badly they could get it. The law says a farmer cannot sell unpastuerized milk. However, it does not prohibit someone from drinking raw milk. If they were that serious about the 'healthy benefits' of raw milk, they could buy cows and produce their own raw milk. Yes, it's a LOT of work, but the option is available to them. I don't think the law should be changed. Besides, based upon this article, there are 'limited, incidental sales of unpasteurized milk' allowed. Really, how much milk would 450 people drink that this wouldn't be a 'small incidental sale'? Especially considering how much milk is produced in the state of WI.

[Kaleva]

8. Raw milk is all I had when growing up.

[SoCalDem]

9. and so starts "The Milk Party"

:rofl:

You got milk in my tea..no YOU got tea in my MILK :)