News
Missouri raw milk case settled
A Missouri dairy producer has reached a settlement in a raw milk lawsuit. Armand and Teddi Bechard of Conway sell a variety of pasture-raised products including raw milk direct to consumers. In April of 2009 undercover individuals from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department purchased raw milk from the Bechards in the parking lot of a Springfield store. Missouri law allows for the sale and delivery of raw milk by unlicensed farmers to a customer’s residence. The Missouri Milk Board charged the undercover purchases were made at “a central distribution point” and violated the law. The Missouri Attorney General filed suit to stop the Bechards from selling in such a manner and the Greene County District Attorney brought criminal action against the couple for selling the milk at the premises off the farm. The Bechards were acquitted of the Greene County charges in January of 2011.
A settlement in the Missouri Milk Board case was reached on July 31st under which the Bechards will be allowed to sell and deliver milk to known customers at their homes, at the Bechard farm or at a central distribution point such as the parking lot. However, “The consent judgment, signed by Judge Michael J. Cordonnier, enjoins the Bechards from selling milk to “strangers” who have not previously arranged for the sale and purchase of raw milk from the Bechards.” In other words, they cannot sell to just anyone who walks up to their stand at a central distribution point like a parking lot.
The Missouri Department of Agriculture states: “Missouri Dairy Board was created in 1972 to encourage orderly and sanitary production, transportation, processing and grading of fluid milk and processed milk products for consumption intrastate as well as interstate.”
Another victory for nanny-state policies. Leave my milk alone!!!!!!!!!!!