Raw milk redux
Back during the legislative session I wrote about a bill that would make the sale of raw milk for human consumption legal in the state. An extension of that debate is due to come up Friday. From today's paper:
RALEIGH - Call it mooo-shine.Raw, unpasteurized milk occupies a dicey niche under North Carolina law. Despite a prohibition on sale for human consumption, enthusiasts work to find regular supplies and regulators work equally hard to make sure it's difficult to come by.
On Friday, the N.C. Board of Agriculture is scheduled to take action aimed at cutting off one part of the state supply chain.
Farmers can legally sell raw milk as "pet milk," for consumption by dogs and other animals. An administrative rule the board is scheduled to adopt would require that this milk be labeled "not for human consumption" and dyed charcoal.
Click here for the full story.
The intent of the rule is to make the milk unappealing to those who would put it on the dinner table rather than in fido's bowl. People have been using the "pet milk" provision to skirt the law.
Interestingly, a bill that would let people enter into contractual "cow shares" arrangements passed the Senate this year. The bill is still eligible for passage and in the House Agriculture Committee. For more from the legislative session:
- Click here for audio of the debate.
- Click here for links to my earlier story and background on the raw milk debate.
For more regarding the illnesses in Georgia attributed to raw milk this summer click here and here.
And for more info on the N.C. Department of Agriculture meeting this Friday, click here. The board is holding its meeting out west to coincide with the annual Mountain State Fair.