Monday afternoon the Indiana State Senate approved an amendment that proposes the direct sale of raw milk to the public.  Indiana Professional Dairy Producers President LuAnn Troxel says there are some concerns over the proposed rules of the legal sale of raw milk.  She says many of the ag professionals that have been consulted do not believe that this particular amendment properly deals with the issue.

“For example,” she says, “Our state veterinarian needs to be involved in this decision.”  In addition, Troxel believes the Indiana board of Public Health should be involved in the conversation.  She tells Brownfield, “If we’re going to truly discuss legalizing the sale of unpasteurized milk, there should be a discussion among the stakeholders involved, the public health officials and scientist.”

Todd Janzen, legal adviser to IPDP summarizes the amendment as follows: 

• If producers have less than 20 cows they can register to sell raw milk (Notwithstanding any other law, a milk producer who does not have a permit under this chapter may register with the department for the purposes described in subsection (d) if the milk producer milks fewer than twenty (20) cows.)
• The milk producer must provide a sanitary container and fill the container in a sanitary manner
• The raw milk producer must display a sign that states “Raw milk products are sold here.  Raw milk products are not pasteurized.”
• The container must contain a label that states:  “This product contains raw milk.  Consume at your own risk.”

The bill the amendment is attached to is expected to come up for a vote later today.