On June 5, 2013, the Maine Senate approved LD 1282, “An Act to Help Small Farmers in Selling Raw Milk and Homemade Food Products.” The bill would allow Maine farmers to sell small quantities of unpasteurized milk or unpasteurized milk products (less than 20 gallons per day) directly to consumers without getting a license as long as it is clearly labeled, and sold from the farm or a farmers market within the state.

This bill comes on the heels of the controversial case against Dan Brown, a Maine farmer who was found guilty in April 2013 of selling milk without a license, selling unpasteurized milk without marking it as such, and operating a food establishment without a license.

The bill has gone to the Maine House of Representatives for vote. 

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/06/05/politics/senate-approved-bill-that-exempts-farmers-who-sell-raw-milk-from-licensing-requirements/

The Campaign for Real Milk is a project of The Weston A. Price Foundation, a nutrition education non-profit based in Washington, D.C.

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On May 28, the Nevada Senate approved a bill that will legalize the sale of raw milk in Las Vegas and across the state. The bill passed the Assembly on a unanimous vote on April 22, and was given a “do pass” by the Nevada Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on May 16. The bill is currently in enrollment.

Nevada’s current state law allows certified raw milk to be sold anywhere in the state, but raw milk produced under the authority of a county milk commission can only be sold in that county. Nye County, located just northwest of the Las Vegas metro area, established a county milk commission last year to regulate Amargosa Creamery as it began to produce raw milk. This bill would allow Amargosa Creamery to cross county lines and sell raw milk and raw milk products in the Las Vegas metro area.

The bill would also prohibit out of state raw milk producers from selling their products in Nevada – a move that would also benefit Amargosa Creamery by removing California dairy producers from the Las Vegas market and cutting back on their competition.

Most Nevada lawmakers are supportive of the bill. Although some have voiced concern about the health risks posed by raw milk, they believe it is better to move forward with a regulatory structure. The new Nevada bill requires labeling, dairy testing and liability.

Realmilk.com is a project of nutrition education non-profit, The Weston A. Price Foundation.

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