Raw Milk Drink-In and Hearing

Raw Milk Rights Rally

Supporters of “raw milk” – unpasteurized cow milk that advocates say holds superior nutritional and disease-fighting value – bring a cow to the Boston Common for a “drink in” to protest what they say is an “organized assault” against small farmers and unprocessed food across the country. The rally precedes a 10 a.m. Department of Agriculture hearing on raw milk regulations. After the “drink in,” raw milk farmers, out-of-state advocates and other proponents of raw milk hold a 9:20 a.m. press conference on the State House Steps. According to raw milk proponents, the department issued a “cease and desist order” to four raw milk drivers deliver milk to customers. The FDA considers raw milk a health risk. Supporters of raw milk say there have been no reported illnesses related to raw milk in 10 years in Massachusetts.

(Monday, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., Boston Common near the Brewer Fountain)

See Rep. Atkins’ letter to Commissioner Soares below: April 30, 2010

Scott J. Soares

Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources

251 Causeway Street, Suite 500

Boston, MA 02114

Dear Commissioner Soares:

I would like to thank you and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources for your participation in Massachusetts Agriculture Day on April 8^th.  It was exciting to meet the individuals who locally grow and produce our food and to sample the extraordinary variety of goods.  Also, per you recommendation, I have viewed the Department’s new MassGrown and Fresher Beta website. This is a great addition to MDAR’s website that will help individuals and local farms connect with one another.  I will certainly keep it in mind as a resource for my constituents.

On a similar matter, and on behalf of many of my constituents, I would like bring to your attention a concerning topic regarding the proposed amendments to 330 CMR 27.00 Standards and Sanitation Requirements for Grade A Raw Milk, and that is the legality of raw milk buying clubs.

As you may know, many of my constituents are a part of local buying clubs for raw milk and have been able to avoid driving long distances every week to a farm to purchase their milk.  I commend your comments in the Boston Globe Magazine’s article entitled Got Raw Milk? printed on March 23, 2008 and I agree with your sentiments that while there may be risks associated with raw milk, it is important to let consumers make the choice to drink it or not.

As consumer demand increases and dairies continue to switch to raw-milk production, does the Department of Agricultural Resources intend to include new language to allow for buying clubs to officially operate in the Commonwealth?  If not, I respectfully implore you to consider including such language when amending the current standards.  Rather than trying to limit or prohibit such purchases, the Department of Agricultural Resources should create a formal means for consumers to buy raw milk which will also help curb the negative impact on the already struggling raw milk dairy farmers who remain in Massachusetts.

Thank you again for your consideration of my request.  I look forward to learning of the Department’s decision after the public hearing is held on May 10^th at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room A on the second floor of 100 Cambridge Street in Boston.  If I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

CORY ATKINS

State Representative

14^th Middlesex District