UPDATE: Raw Milk Legislation 2010

SOUTH DAKOTA RAW MILK UPDATE:

HB 1057 paves the way to shut down private food production under the guise of health and safety

The public response to the SD Dept of Ag’s proposed raw milk rules last November was overwhelming. One person who testified in opposition to the rules recently spent 1 ½ hours at the Ag Dept in Pierre reviewing the 266 written public comments submitted. Of those 266 there was only one in support of the proposed rules and that was from the SD Dept of Health. Most of the comments came from within SD, however 2 came from Iraq, 1 from Colorado, and 1 from Virginia. As a result of the opposition, SD Secretary of Ag, Bill Even withdrew the proposed rules in mid December 2009. Then right after the first of the year his department put forward changes in the form of House Bill 1057 to “revise and update certain provisions relating to dairy production and inspection.” This bill does more than that – here are some of the changes HB 1057 would bring:

The bill restricts raw milk sales to the farm only. Raw milk sales at farmers markets or via delivery direct to consumers would be illegal.
* The bill outlaws the sale of raw cream.
* The bill requires ALL raw milk producers to obtain a permit to sell milk (a stepping stone for future restrictive regulation).
* The bill allows the Ag Department to take dairy permit violators to court to seek civil penalty of up to $5000.
* If permits are required, the SD Dept of Ag will propose new rules in April 2010 which may be similarly restrictive to those proposed last November.

READ HB 1057 online at this link: http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2010/Bills/HB1057P.htm

In response to HB 1057, SD raw milk farmers & concerned citizens are working with Dakota Rural Action (DRA) and Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund to oppose this bill with an amendment.

ACTION ALERT:

ASK THE SD HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE TO OPPOSE HB 1057 IN ITS CURRENT FORM – attend hearings, or make calls, or write letters:

ATTEND HEARINGS NEXT WEEK IN PIERRE:

HB 1057 will be sent to the SD House Agriculture Subcommittee meeting in Pierre next week Tuesday (2/16/2010 11:00am). A large turnout at this hearing would be ideal. Be prepared to speak briefly on one of the following topics:

health benefits of raw milk
* why access to raw milk is important to you

how the bill creates problems for licensing producers and does little, if anything, to increase food safety
* harassment issues regarding the SD Dept of Ag.

HB 1057 will be sent to a full committee hearing for a vote by the House Ag Committee on Thursday (2/18/2010 7:45am). Only 10 minutes will be allowed for public comment on the legislation specifically – our side will need one volunteer to speak for this 10 minutes. Being present at this hearing would be helpful for even those who are not speaking, for support.

On Monday, February 15 at 6:30pm Dakota Rural Action will host a training session to plan for the hearings on February 16 and 18th. This will be held at the Ramkota in Pierre. Please contact Luke Temple of DRA if you plan on being in Pierre for this meeting or the hearings (contact info at bottom of this letter).

OR MAKE PHONE CALLS:

If you can’t attend in person, the priority is to call all the members of the SD House Ag Committee (with the exception of Rep. Sly). However, if you only have limited time please place priority on these legislators in red below (if it is possible to attend one of their public events, attend and give them your message in person):

On weekends call: On weekdays call:

Rep. Vanneman (vice chair) Home 605-842-2751 Capitol 605-773-3851

Rep. Cronin Home 605-765-9325 Capitol 605-773-3851

Rep. Hoffman Home 605-577-6530 Capitol 605-773-3851

Rep. Schrempp Home 605-964-6541 Capitol 605-224-5951

Rep. Street Home 605-623-4534 Capitol 605-949-4534

Rep. Van Gerpen Home 605-589-3064 Capitol 605-224-6877

On weekends call: On weekdays call:

Rep. Brunner (chair) Home 605-257-2336 Capitol 605-773-3851

Rep. Frerich Home 605-938-4208 Capitol 605-773-3851

Rep Kopp Home 605-343-8528 Capitol 605-484-4180

Rep Olson Home 605-855-2824 Capitol 605-773-3851

Rep Sly Home 605-343-4956 Capitol 605-381-9116

Rep Sorenson Home 605-594-6319 Capitol 605-773-3851

Rep Verchio Home 605-574-2466 Capitol 605-773-3851

Leave a message if they are not available. Ask committee members to please support local producers by opposing HB 1057 in its current form.

After this bill goes to the House Floor for a vote, you may call your own state representatives – we will send details at that time.

OR WRITE LETTERS:

If you are not able to make calls, write a letter asking members of the House Ag Committee to please support local producers by opposing HB 1057 in its current form. E-mail letters to Luke Temple at luket@dakotarural.org, he is DRA’s lobbyist, and he will print your letter and place it on the representative’s desk in Pierre.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
LUKE TEMPLE
Dakota Rural Action lobbyist
Phone: 605-697-5204 E-mail: luket@dakotarural.org