Three Minnesota Senators have introduced legislation that would allow farmers to sell raw milk at farmers markets or to deliver directly to homes and buying clubs. Currently only on-farm sales are allowed, meaning many customers have to drive for hours to the farm if they want raw milk.

Raw milk is controversial because if it is not produced properly and cleanly, it has the potential to cause illness. Advocates say that pastuerization in addition to killing any potentially harmful pathogens also destroys beneficial bacteria and enzymes, and that the health benefits of these outweigh any health risks. It is true that raw milk must be produced under very clean conditions from pastured cows, but isn't this a big point in its favor?

Big Dairy claims to oppose this bill merelybecause of safety concerns, but what they are really threatened by is the break in the monopoly of the big dairy processors over the milk market. Farmers should be able to sell direct without overburdensome hassle and consumers should have the right to choose what they eat. Sign the petition telling Minnesota to support common sense access to raw milk!

Photo: macalit via Flickr