FARM FRESH MILK RESTORATION ACT OF 2008 INTRODUCED

PRESS CONFERENCE!
DATE: January 17, 2008
TIME: 11:45 am
LOCATION: Cedar Creek Room, Vermont Statehouse, 2nd Floor

View the bill here

For Immediate Release
January 16, 2008

Contact Person: Amy Shollenberger, director, Rural Vermont, 802-793-1114 / amybeth@together.net

PRESS CONFERENCE!

FARM FRESH MILK RESTORATION ACT OF 2008 INTRODUCED
Raw Milk Supporters Propose Certification Program for Farmers

DATE: January 17, 2008

TIME: 11:45 am

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Room, Vermont Statehouse, 2nd Floor

SPEAKERS: Bill Sponsors Rep. Kathy Pellett (D-Chester), and Rep. Jim Hutchinson (D-Randolph), and representatives from the Vermont Grass Farmers Association, NOFA Vermont and Rural Vermont

PHOTO OPP: Legislators and Farmers stand in support of the bill. Colorful banner.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Farmers will be available for individual interviews

BACKGROUND: Current Vermont law allows farmers to sell 25 quarts/day of un-pasteurized (raw) milk from the farm. Agency of Agriculture policy is that farmers may not advertise that raw milk is for sale, or deliver it to regular customers. The Farm Fresh Milk Restoration Act of 2008 would allow unlimited sales from the farm (no retail sales allowed), advertisement that milk is available, and delivery of milk to pre-paid customers. In order to do these things, farmers would need to be certified and meet standards outlined in the bill to ensure milk quality and safety. The bill is H.616 has 66 cosponsors, and can be found here:
http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/H-616.HTM.