Raw Milk legislation in CT

[Amy Kalafa]

This is an issue that really doesn't effect schools because I can't imagine they would ever consider serving raw milk. Yet negative legislation like this impacts farmers and families, and it perpetuates the myth that raw milk is inherently unsafe. Please consider writing a letter to your state rep! (see below for link)

This is a message from Selina Rifkin - Fairfield County Chapter Leader of the Weston A. Price Foundation:

This legislation proposes to put warning labels on raw milk and post signs where it is sold to 'inform' people that it could be dangerous. This will likely scare the public for no reason, and the cost of this will, of course, be carried by our small farmers and gives them little incentive to produce more.

This is going to the House of Representatives but some of us have new Reps, which won't be sworn in until Monday. How cool would it be to be one of the first letters on their desk? have a look at this link which talks about the issues and has a link to sample letters. Also, please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.

http://chooserawmilk.blogspot.com/2008/12/defining-issues.html#comm...

Selina Rifkin MS
Weston A Price Foundation
Chapter Leader - Fairfield County, CT

[Selina Rifkin]

Raw Milk has tremendous health benefits, and whatever happened at Town Center Dairy, this is an over-reaction. Raw milk is the choice for a small minority of CT milk drinkers who are very passionate and makes a great target. but this is a distraction from the fact that Confined Animal Feeding operations are loaded with e-coli. 4 out of 5 cows are infected during the summer when bacterial counts are high. There have been no moves to restrict sales of these cattle.

Also in term of food safety, Raw milk has much, much better record than pasteurized milk.

Here is the letter I sent:

Dear Senator Russo,



Please be aware of a proposed bill that is soon to cross your desk concerning the raw milk and aged raw milk cheese producers of Connecticut. As a chapter leader for the Weston A. Price Foundation, this subject is very important to myself and my family, and the members of my group. I receive calls every month inquiring where raw milk may be purchased and the supply is already limited. We would like your support. I urge you to take action and reject this bill.

Buying raw milk and aged raw milk cheese is a choice and choice is a freedom. Certified raw milk has a far better safety record than factory farmed beef – 4 out of 5 cows in confined feeding operations have e-coli - or lettuce greens. But there are no proposals to put out warning signs at salad bars or meat counters. Certified raw milk has tremendous health benefits and we want the freedom to buy raw milk at my local grocery store without any additional cost to the farmers.

Sincerely,

Selina Rifkin MS
Weston A Price Foundation
Chapter Leader - Fairfield County, CT
8 Taits Mill Rd
Trumbull 06611
203-209-7680


CT is proposing to limit raw milk sales to on Farm and require precautionary labeling. This was due to an outbreak of Enterohemorrhagic E. Coli O157.
http://www.resetyourways.com/2009rawmilkchanges.pdf

The out break was connected to Town Farm Dairy. Here is there latest statement

http://www.townfarmdairy.org/NewsUpdate083008.html

there was e-coli present in one cow but it was quite unclear how it got into the milk.