By Teddi Bechard via Facebook
Admittedly, I am NOT a reporter. I am a person with a passion. The Missouri State Milk Board has created a sub-committee to “study” the *issue* of raw milk. I’m not sure what “issue” there is to study, but they think they are studying it.
The Milk Board sub-committee met today, June 24, 2010 in Lebanon, Mo. Lebanon is a somewhat central location for board members traveling from various sides of the state.
This board is composed of 12 individuals, most of whom are pro-pasteurization and pro-regulation. Fortunately for raw milk in Missouri, Carey Raymond, SWMO Weston A. Price foundation chapter leader is one of those 12.
Also on the board is Bruce Salisbury of Lorenae Dairy in Galena, MO. Lorenae Dairy is one of only 3 Grade A Retail Raw Milk dairies in Missouri. Salisbury wishes for the State to twist interpretation of current Missouri law for his benefit and financial gain. The potential of his possible conflict of interest was brought up. It was suggested that Mr. Salisbury either be removed from this board or a non-graded producer be added to the board to bring balance to this board.
Although this meeting was open to the public, it was not made known to the public. In attendance, but not part of the board were Laclede County dairy producer Armand Bechard of Bechard Family Farm, Christian County dairy producer Steve Stephens of Son Harvest Farm, and second SWMO WAPF chapter leader, Katie Doofenshmirtz. Mrs. Raymond, Bechard, Stephens, and Ms. Doofenshmirtz addressed the board regarding the benefits of Raw Milk. According to those in attendance, the gist of the meeting was typical of bureaucrats who feel that the American public isn’t capable of making their own decisions, thus wishing to enact policy to protect consumers from themselves and the supposed evils of raw milk.
This milk board sub-committee is trying to bypass the legal system by creating regulations. Their lawsuit against the Bechard’s has taken well over a year, with no end in sight. Their actions in Christian County show how they are trying speed things up by slipping in the back door.
We as consumers need to make sure that the State of Missouri does not allow the Milk Board or their sub-committee to create regulations that would contradict the law. They are not a legislative body.
The next sub-committee meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2010. At that meeting they hope to present more scientific evidence and begin to draw some conclusions.
Tags: Missouri Raw Milk, Raw Milk
