July 2, 2003

Pennsylvania Raw Milk Regulation Scheduled for Overhaul

Late this fall the Division of Milk Sanitation of the Bureau of Food Safety of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is due to overhaul regulations regarding the sale of raw milk. Some farmers fear the intent will be to close existing "loopholes" that make sales of raw milk possible. It is therefore important to communicate with these state officials so that they know raw milk is important to us consumers.

E-mails or phone calls should be courteous, positive and non-confrontational (and you do not necessarily need to be from Pennsylvania to e-mail or call). Do not mention specific suppliers as they might get in trouble.

The officials are familiar with the arguments for raw milk, so the main points should be along the lines of:

1. We love raw milk;
2. Thank you for your hard work as public officials;
3. We look forward to greater availability of raw milk and other raw dairy products like butter and yogurt in the future; and
4. We hope you can protect our rights as consumers to purchase from farmers we trust, and help ensure the livelihood of these small independent producers.

Relevant officials to contact are:

• James Dell, Director of the Division of Milk Sanitation: (717) 787-3233,
• Bobby McLean, director of the PA Bureau of Food safety: (717) 787-4248,
• Dennis Wolff, Secretary of Agriculture: (717) 772-2853,
• Art Hershey, Chairman of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Agriculture Committee: (717) 783-6435,

Thank you for your support.

Bill Sanda
Director, Public Affairs
Weston A. Price Foundation