Big Dairy Threatens Minnesota's Raw Milk Bill

Minnesota is home to one of many raw milk battles currently raging across the United States. On one side are advocates for consumer choice, small farmers, and buyers who believe fervently in the health benefits of raw milk. On the other are Big Dairy lobbyists and those who believe fervently in the health dangers of raw milk (for more on the facts on that ongoing debate, check out this post).

Raw milk sales are currently legal in Minnesota but only on farms themselves, hindering raw milk's sales potential and forcing many consumers to drive long distances to get the beloved product. A month ago, legislators introduced a bill in Minnesota that would allow farmers a bit more flexibility, giving them the ability to deliver raw milk to customers or to sell at farmers' markets.  Makes sense, right?

Minnesota State Senator David Brown (R-Becker) thought so initially, saying that he "had no reason not to support [the] bills." But he heard from a great many Big Dairy lobbyists during the recent 10th annual Dairy Day lobbying event, during which producers get a chance to meet with more than 50 state and local Minnesota lawmakers.. The Minnesota Milk Producers Association (MMPA) is completely against the expansion of raw milk sales because it threatens the grip that Big Dairy has on the industry. If farmers don't have to sell to a centralized distributor to have their product pasteurized, packaged, and sold, the monopoly by the centralized dairy co-ops that have traditionally paid these farmers a pittance for their product is seriously challenged.

The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is supplying a voice in favor of small farmers and raw milk sales, but the organization needs all the help it can get if its members are going to make their voices heard over MMPA lobbyists.

Agriculture commissioner Dave Frederickson, for one, is solidly on the side of the MMPA to "protect the integrity of the food system." It's true that raw milk must be produced under meticulously clean and healthy conditions by cows that are fed on grass, but isn't that a good thing? If we want to see more of that kind of dairy farm, we need to support raw milk and consumer choice. Sign our petition telling Minnesota lawmakers to support commonsense raw milk bills!

Photo credit: Kristen Taylor via Flickr