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of the group moved from limiting on-farm sales of raw milk to establishing a two-tier system in which unlicensed on-farm
sales of raw milk would continue while producers wanting to sell at farmers markets—and possibly at retail stores—would
be licensed and inspected by the state. It seems unlikely that the Illinois Department of Public Health would be issuing
the proposed regulations before the end of the year.
In South Dakota, regulations proposed in May went to the Legislative Rules Review Committee (LRRC) on August 20
for final approval. Some modifications had been made to the rules since they were first proposed—notably, language
clarifying that the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) did not regulate herdshares; but the rules still posed
a threat to the future of the licensed raw milk dairies in the state.
After hearing testimony from a number of raw milk advocates, the LRRC voted against approving the proposed regula-
tions, sending them back to SDDA on the grounds that the department didn’t provide sufficient information to comply
with the requirement that SDDA provide a statement detailing the impact the proposed regulations would have on small
business. The LRRC also rejected the rules because its members believed SDDA failed to thoroughly explain what was
being changed in the rules.
It is now up to SDDA to determine what its next step will be. No one trusts the department to make the regulations it
resubmits to the LRRC any less burdensome for producers. SDDA provided further evidence of its bias against raw milk
with its distribution of a flyer claiming that there were 24 illnesses in South Dakota in 2012 associated with raw milk
consumption—a blatant lie, given that there hasn’t been a single reported foodborne illness outbreak in South Dakota
attributed to raw milk consumption since 1999, if not further back. A number of raw milk supporters believe that SDDA
dairy administrator Darwin Kurtenbach wants to eliminate all raw milk dairies in the state.
For the latest developments on raw milk issues, go to www.thecompletepatient.com.
Those who have not joined the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund are encouraged to do so. Membership applica-
tions are available online at www.farmtoconsumer.org or by calling (703) 208-FARM (3276); the mailing address is 8116
Arlington Blvd, Suite 263, Falls Church, VA 22042.
CHAPTER LEADER AT
WEBB CITY, MISSOURI FARMERS MARKET
Having recently started a chapter in Joplin, Missouri, Kimlyn Powers took a booth at her local farmers market to get the WAPF
message out to the people in the community.
Kimlyn reports that raw milk is available at the farmers market. Pictured here is Kimlyn with raw milk farmer Dr. Mark A
Robinson and his wife Leesa. (He's a chiropractor by day and a raw milk farmer by night.)
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