DE Alert on SB 273: Legalize Raw Milk Sales in Delaware

Tell Senate to Vote YES on SB 273, May 23rd

Legalize Raw Milk Sales in Delaware

Senate Bill 273 (SB 273), “The Consumer Choice Milk Act” that would legalize raw milk sales for human consumption in Delaware, is before the Senate Agriculture Committee; has passed out of committee and is now scheduled for a vote of the full Senate this Thursday, May 23.

SB 273 would allow the sale of raw milk and raw milk products by dairy farmers who have obtained a permit from the state department of agriculture. Producers must include a warning statement on the labels of the raw milk and raw milk products and must have a similar warning on a sign posted at the point of sale. Producers are subject to inspection and must be in compliance with, among other things, testing, temperature, and training requirements issued through regulation by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

ACTION TO TAKE

1. Call and/or email your state Senator asking that he or she vote YES on SB 273. Calls are best. Talking Points listed below can be incorporated into your message.

To find your state senator, enter your address at: http://leghall.delaware.gov/legislature.nsf/FSMain?OpenFrameset&Frame=right&src=/legislature.nsf/LDS

2. Go to the Capitol and meet with your Senator or your Senator’s staffer, asking for a YES vote on SB 273. It is possible to meet them in the hallways if you aren’t able to schedule an appointment.

Those at the Capitol Thursday can watch the proceedings from the Senate balcony; otherwise, click here to watch the vote via Senate Chamber livestream.

TALKING POINTS

1. Delaware consumers have a legal right to drink raw milk; why should they have to go to a neighboring state to exercise that right? Delaware consumers want to be able to buy the foods of their choice from Delaware producers.

2. SB 273 could help farms in the state’s dairy industry remain in business. Ten years ago there were 44 Grade A dairies in the state; today there are 14. The dairy farms that remain need other sources of income to survive.

3. Raw milk has a good track record for safety. As demand for raw milk has skyrocketed in recent years, the number of illnesses attributed to raw milk consumption has remained flat or even gone down.

4. The media and public health agencies have been warning people not to drink raw milk because of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). There is no evidence that HPAI in raw milk or any other food can make people sick. [See Peg Coleman’s post, “Where Is the Evidence?”]

WAPF will send out further alerts on SB 273 as events warrant.