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It has been discussed on this board many times, the amount of regulation that prevents small holders to sell eggs or milk or other products to consumers.
The Montana legislature only meets for 90 days every other year, but apparently the folks who live here are having an impact on new law.
This bill would allow people with up to 15 cows or 30 milking sheep and goat farmers with up to 30 milking animals to obtain a permit to sell the raw milk to consumers.
The bill passed the house on a vote of 98-2, pretty good across the board support I think.
A step in the right direction as far as I'm concerned.
It has been discussed on this board many times, the amount of regulation that prevents small holders to sell eggs or milk or other products to consumers.
The Montana legislature only meets for 90 days every other year, but apparently the folks who live here are having an impact on new law.
This bill would allow people with up to 15 cows or 30 milking sheep and goat farmers with up to 30 milking animals to obtain a permit to sell the raw milk to consumers.
The bill passed the house on a vote of 98-2, pretty good across the board support I think.
A step in the right direction as far as I'm concerned.
Good for them. Finally a state legislature with some sense.
Raw milk is legal to sell directly to consumers here in my state - for human consumption. Adjacent states can sell it as pet food only so out-of-state residents come here to get it.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (a national non-profit group) recently tried to convince state officials to quietly dump the freedom to sell it here. It didn't work. Booyah!
I don't know what NH has done. Last summer milk cops were out on patrol and hassling a goat farmer over his milk.
Was it one of those USDA/FDA SWAT teams brandishing guns at goat farmers and children? I've heard reliable accounts from northeasterners that this happens.
I think raw milk for retail sale (directly to consumer) is legal in only 10 states, AFAIK --- ME, PA, SC, CT, NH, WA, ID, CA, NM and AZ. Now maybe MT also.
Was it one of those USDA/FDA SWAT teams brandishing guns at goat farmers and children? I've heard reliable accounts from northeasterners that this happens.
I think raw milk for retail sale (directly to consumer) is legal in only 10 states, AFAIK --- ME, PA, SC, CT, NH, WA, ID, CA, NM and AZ. Now maybe MT also.
You can sell to customers here in MO, but you cannot advertise or seek out customers, they have to come asking for it. Not usually a problem in my neck of the woods...
You can sell to customers here in MO, but you cannot advertise or seek out customers, they have to come asking for it. Not usually a problem in my neck of the woods...
MO and a few other states allow farm sales only. Retail is defined as both on and off the farm (at stores, farmer's markets, etc.). Those 10 states allow retail sales. I think MT is aiming for retail sales too, but not sure about that.
Well the bill is in senate committee right now, so the final bill could say anything. Currently the section dealing with sales is:
NEW SECTION.Section 2. Direct sales by small herd exemption permittee -- sales prohibited -- labeling. (1) A person operating under a small herd exemption permit may not sell or otherwise provide raw milk or raw milk products produced by the permittee to any person for resale, but may sell those items directly to a consumer, a member or guest of the permittee's family, or the permittee's employer. The restriction provided in this subsection includes restricting the permittee from selling raw milk or raw milk products for resale to a retail food establishment licensed under Title 50, chapter 50, or a wholesale food establishment licensed under Title 50, chapter 57.
(2) (a) All products sold by a permittee directly to the public under this section must be sold on the premises for which the small herd exemption permit is issued and, except as provided in subsection (2)(b), must be labeled pursuant to 81-22-413 and, 81-22-415, AND THIS SUBSECTION (2)(A). THE LABEL MUST READ: "WARNING -- THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS UNPASTEURIZED MILK, ALSO KNOWN AS RAW MILK.".
(b) A person who purchases or otherwise obtains products under this section may have the permittee transfer the products into a container provided by the person obtaining the products, and the permittee is not required to label the container. THE WARNING LABEL ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)(A) MUST BE POSTED IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE ON THE PREMISES FOR WHICH THE SMALL HERD EXEMPTION IS ISSUED.
(3) The sale of raw milk or raw milk products by a small herd exemption permittee are not subject to pricing controls under Title 81, chapter 23.
It looks like this is so a producer can sell directly to the public.
Was it one of those USDA/FDA SWAT teams brandishing guns at goat farmers and children? I've heard reliable accounts from northeasterners that this happens.
I think raw milk for retail sale (directly to consumer) is legal in only 10 states, AFAIK --- ME, PA, SC, CT, NH, WA, ID, CA, NM and AZ. Now maybe MT also.
I don't know as i didn't see these cops, I was talking to the farmer who had seen them, and he wasn't happy.
I don't raise domestic animals or milk them but my wife has.
I have paperwork to send anyone like that packing. There are LAWS you know, that can and will tame rogue cops, and assorted busybody officials.
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