Page 84 - Spring2013

MASSACHUSETTS
House Bill 717 allows for the delivery of raw milk by a licensed farmer or the farmer’s agent directly to the consumer.
Delivery can also be made through a CSA (community supported agriculture) delivery system. Delivery may be made
directly to the consumer’s residence or to a pre-established receiving site; said sites shall not be in a retail setting with
the exception of a CSA delivery as long as the milk delivered is not accessible to the general public. Under the bill, raw
milk can also be sold at farm stands that aren’t contiguous to the raw milk dairy which current law prohibits.
MONTANA
House Bill 574 would expressly legalize herdshare arrangements as well as the on-farm sale and delivery of raw milk to
the consumer. Producers selling raw milk must register with the state department of agriculture and must meet testing
standards mandated by the bill. The dairy herd must be fewer than fifteen lactating cows, thirty lactating goats or thirty
lactating sheep. The department will issue a small herd exemption permit to dairies selling raw milk and raw milk products.

NEW JERSEY
Assembly Bill 518 would allow the licensed on-farm sale of raw milk. The bill was introduced in 2012; the New Jersey
legislature is in the midst of a two-year session. The bill also allows the sale of raw milk products and exempts farmers
operating herdshare programs from the permit requirement. There are testing and labeling requirements for licensees;
permit applicants must submit an affidavit agreeing that no growth hormones will be given to cows producing raw milk.
There is a Senate companion bill, S.279.

NEW MEXICO
The one state where an attempt has been made to roll back the clock is New Mexico. Senate Bill 286 would make the
sale of raw milk unlawful in New Mexico. State law currently allows the licensed sale of raw milk on the farm and in
retail stores. SB 286 died in the Senate Conservation Committee.

OKLAHOMA
House Bill 1541 would allow the incidental sale of raw milk delivered by the raw milk producer directly to the con-
sumer’s residence so long as the farm is a Grade A facility and the milk is labeled as “unpasteurized milk.” Current law
only allows incidental sales of raw milk on the farm.

RHODE ISLAND
Senate Bill 15 would legalize the licensed sale of raw milk. The state milk commission would issue regulations detail-
ing expiration dates, warning labels, and signage requirements where raw milk is sold. Those farmers selling less than
twenty quarts a day would not have to obtain a permit. The bill was referred to the Senate Environment and Agriculture
Committee.

TEXAS
Current law only allows the sale by a licensed dairy at the farm where the raw milk is produced. House Bill 46 would
expand the places where raw milk could be sold to the consumer’s residence and other venues such as a farmers
market, farm stand, flea market or fair. The bill would only prohibit the sale or delivery of raw milk to a grocery store,
supermarket, or “similar retail market.” There is a labeling provision requiring a warning statement.

VERMONT
Senate Bill 70 would allow the sale of raw milk at farmers markets. Current law only allows the sale on the farm or by
delivery from the producer.

WYOMING
Senate File 112 would allow the sale of raw milk by a producer possessing a small herd permit. A small herd is defined
as no more than three lactating cows, seven lactating goats or seven lactating sheep. Those with the permit could sell
on the farm and at retail stores. SF 112 did not make it out of committee.

84 Wise Traditions SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 Wise Traditions