Wisconsin Takes Historic Step Towards Legalizing Raw Milk

Many US states and the federal government have passed laws banning or severely restricting the sale and distribution of raw milk. In fact, organic food stores and family farms have been victimized by SWAT style, guns-drawn raids, as law enforcement officers at the federal level have been handling raw milk producers in a manner typically reserved for members of a violent and organized criminal operation. Meanwhile, many US consumers have taken an interest in organic, unprocessed foods, leading to a rise in the popularity of raw milk consumption.

While the federal government continues to escalate its attacks on the fundamental civil liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights, states and localities have been on a legalization spree of late. We recently reported on a Colorado farmer’s production of America’s first hemp crop in decades, Illinois’ legalization of same-sex marriage, and Portland, Maine’s ballot initiative allowing for the recreational use of cannabis. Now, Wisconsin appears poised to expand freedom as well, as its Senate Financial Institutions and Rural Issues Committee just passed Senate Bill 236, which would allow farmers to sell raw milk to the public.

Raw Milk: the Pros and Cons

Consumption of food comes with risks. All foods contain various toxins, and eating anything to excess can lead to serious health problems. Processed foods are often pumped full of chemicals that have unknown long-term effects on the human body. On the other hand, natural and organic foods can, in rare cases, contain naturally-occurring, food-borne pathogens.

Raw milk consumers are often on special diets and specifically choose fresh-from-the-cow dairy for its digestive enzymes, bio-availability, and probiotic bacteria. These organic food aficionados are aware of the risks associated with raw consumption and choose to do it anyway. On the other hand, some studies have also demonstrated that health risks may threaten those who drink pasteurized, hormone-altered milk.

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Raw Milk Bans Threaten Organic Food Freedom

Generally speaking, genetically modified or processed foods carry lower disease risks but include poorly-tested chemicals that could have adverse effects on humans. On the other hand, most natural, organic foods are free of chemicals but also lack drugs that kill off diseases. Both types of foods present potential risks, so the same rationale used to ban raw milk could be applied to virtually any natural food lacking antibiotics or pesticides.

The type of consumer that shops for raw milk at an organic food store or family farm is aware of the health benefits and potential risks associated with its consumption. Everyone should have the freedom to make their own nutritional choices. Wisconsin’s raw milk legalization bill is a step in the right direction.

That said, Senate Bill 236 hasn’t passed into law yet, but has cleared a significant hurdle, as pro-freedom bills are often buried in committee. The Wisconsin Senate is set to vote on the bill after reconvening for next year’s session. Governor Scott Walker has indicated that he would sign the bill if it contained “safeguards.” The bill’s authors reluctantly added a few regulations to gain votes from legislators who would have otherwise opposed the move, so it appears likely that the bill could pass. Wisconsin’s legislature passed a similar bill in 2010, which was rejected by the previous governor.

For taking a crucial step towards legalizing consumer choice in natural and organic foods, the 3 “Aye” voters on Wisconsin’s Senate Financial Institutions and Rural Issues Committee have earned this week’s Silver Circle Rebel of the Week award.

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