Raw Milk Bill on Docket Again in N.J.
Posted: January 18, 2012
New Jersey is once again debating the sale of raw milk in the state.
Assembly Bill 743, has been resurrected under the new number A518 and introduced into the new Assembly session. The measure is missing one sponsor, Rep. Charlotte Vandervalk, a 39th District Republican, who retired from the Assembly after 20 years.
Sponsors want to make populous New Jersey the 31st state to allow commercial raw milk sales. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) says 30 states currently allow raw milk sales, although in 13 of those states unpasteurized milk is restricted to on-farm sales.
In the last three years, there have been numerous proposals in state legislative bodies both to ease raw-milk restrictions and to tighten raw-milk regulations. During that time period, NASDA reports five states have increased quality standards for unpasteurized dairy products.
Because of New Jersey’s sheer size, however, there is considerable interest in what steps it may take. It also borders Pennsylvania and New York, where raw milk sales are legal. Not only do New Jersey residents already drive to those neighboring states to pick up raw milk, but there are also some sophisticated delivery routes in place.
In the new Assembly, sponsors are picking up on new “value-added” theme, namely that the Garden State’s remaining 87 dairy farms need a value-added product to survive.
Source: © Food Safety News
JackieSchmidts Said,
January 19, 2012 @ 10:14 am
The only value added help NJ will get is a bunch of sick people from drinking raw milk if this bill is allowed to pass. It seems like there are many NJ legislators that don’t understand basic food science and the dangers of raw milk.
If this is what it has come down to, allowing the sale of a dangerous product sold on dairy farms to ensure they “survive”, and then the entire dairy industry in NJ is worse off than we can imagine.
What ever happened to reviewing on farm goal each year of trying to improve such as improving milk production, herd health, reproduction, balance sheets, and cash flow? Who have these farms called on to help with their management plans? Have they talked to their veterinarian, accountants, bankers, nutritionists, crop specialists, energy specialists, farm bureau reps., county reps, federal reps. etc.?
What is the state Ag. Dept. doing to improve dairy production in the state?
I have read lately there is a shortage of organic milk. Have the NJ farmer ever considered switching. Being so close to a large population demand base might be more worthwhile.
But to demand raw milk is sold on a few farms as the “answer” to all their problems, is ignorant and stupid to put it bluntly.
And oh, by the way, it was just reported 2011 was the highest on record year for prices received by dairy producers in NJ. And that since 2000 the uniform price received by producers has been higher on average 6.8% compared to the CPI of only 2.7%. This means you are staying way ahead of inflation, unlike the rest of the U.S. population during
Theresa Said,
January 30, 2012 @ 7:10 am
I thoroughly enjoyed the NOFA NJ winter conference this past weekend! Here I learned about the REAL science, safety, and politics of the sales of raw milk. Excellent presentations were given by Michael Schmidt, Shannon Hayes, and Joseph Heckman! Key points: Raw milk has living organisms that kill off pathogens. Experiment: leave 2 glasses of milk out on the counter: one raw milk, one pasteurized for several days. See what happens. One thing–the raw milk sours, but is still edible while the pasteurized milk putrefies. Try it yourself to find out to discover the other surprise. Raw milk’s bad rap came about during the increase of CAFO’s. Cows pooping where they stand all day. This is the source of pathogens such as E. coli. Raw milk contains enzymes that break down lactose. Pasteurization destroys the enzymes, making lactose hard to digest for some, thus, results in lactose intolerance in some individuals. Only eleven or so states completely ban the sale of raw milk: http://farmtoconsumer.org/raw_milk_map.htm While other countries sell raw milk in vending machines: http://thebovine.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/raw-milk-in-poland-interview-with-a-polish-raw-milk-vending-machine-maker/ . What’s the fuss about selling raw milk then? Maybe it lies in the hand of big industries and their lobbyists. It should be the people’s choice. Michael Schmidt has a great story to tell, one that justifies our concern: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Milk-War-the-documentary/146659132023448?sk=wall Face it–cows belong out on small farms, grazing and fertilizing the pasture and humans should have the right to choose what they eat.
Theresa Said,
January 30, 2012 @ 7:11 am
Good information can be found here too: http://www.raw-milk-facts.com/raw_milk_safety.html