It’s been another busy session for raw milk legislation in the state legislatures. A number of bills have been introduced that would legalize or expand raw milk sales or distribution. No legislation has passed yet, but there is still a chance in several states where
Food Rights News
Illinois Legislators Honor Right of Consumers to Buy Farm Fresh Milk
Rep. Burke Halts Bill to Ban Raw Milk
Washington, DC—(April 10, 2014)—A proposed bill in Illinois banning the sale and distribution of natural or “raw” milk, is not going anywhere this session after legislators heard from “thousands” of natural milk proponents. The restriction, which was introduced as an amendment to an unrelated bill, would have banned the sale and distribution of raw milk in Illinois. The sponsor,
Judge Strikes Down Michigan Swine ISO
In a victory for Michigan’s heritage breed hog farmers, Marquette County Circuit Court Judge Thomas L. Solka has ruled that both the swine Invasive Species Order (ISO) and the Declaratory Ruling (DR) issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are unconstitutional. In his March 21
Two Federal “Raw Milk Freedom” Bills Introduced
Another Crack at the Ban
WASHINGTON, DC—(March 27, 2014)—Congressman Massie (R–KY), Chellie Pingree (D–ME) and a bipartisan coalition of 18 other lawmakers introduced legislation on March 26 to improve consumer food choices and to protect local farmers from federal interference. The two bills—the “Milk Freedom of Act of 2014” and the “Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2014”—are the first in a series of “food freedom” bills that
Farm Bill Victories Worth Celebrating
It’s official, the Agricultural Act of 2014 (a.k.a. the Farm Bill – HR 2642; now Public Law 113-79) was signed into law on February 7, 2014 after more than two years of congressional debate. Not surprisingly, the bulk of the Farm Bill continues the same programs that favor large-scale, chemical-intensive, mono-cropping and commodity agriculture; however, there there is also some good news.
There are gains on these specific issues raised in various