Wisconsin State Senate passes raw milk bill

The Wisconsin State Senate passed SB 434 on Thursday which would legalize the sale of raw milk directly to consumers in America’s Dairyland. The measure passed 25-8 and now awaits action by the Assembly.

The Assembly version was modified a few weeks ago to mirror the Senate bill which stipulates raw milk can only be sold on the farms where it is produced and requires signs be posted on the farm declaring raw milk may contain harmful pathogens. The farms selling the milk must meet Grade “A” standards and deliver samples to a milk plant for testing for pathogens.  Farmers could lose their license to sell raw milk if pathogens are found in two of four consecutive samples.

The authorization for raw milk sales would expire December 31, 2011. Some legislators hope to pass a permanent measure after they have heard from an expert panel appointed by state Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen.