sirgonzo420
17th May 2011, 11:54 AM
http://www.examiner.com/nutrition-in-national/ron-paul-introduces-bill-to-legalize-interstate-sales-of-raw-milk
Inspired in part by tales of armed raids at dawn on Amish farmers, Representative Ron Paul has introduced Bill HR 1830 in Congress to remove a federal ban on raw or unpasteurized milk.
Supporters of “real milk” are thrilled. The legislation, introduced on May 12, would allow the shipment and distribution of unpasteurized milk and milk products for human consumption across state lines.
Currently federal regulations ban the interstate sale of unpasteurized milk, providing that:
“…no person shall cause to be delivered into interstate commerce or shall sell, otherwise distribute, or hold for sale or other distribution after shipment in interstate commerce any milk or milk product in final package form for direct human consumption unless the product has been pasteurized..”
The current bill would repeal that federal regulation and although it would not force a state to legalize the sale of raw milk from local producers, it would enable consumers to purchase raw milk and raw dairy products from other states without violating federal law.
Rep. Paul had previously called the ban on raw milk "pasteurization without representation" on The Colbert Report.
Known for his libertarian views, Representative Paul views his proposed legislation as the removal of “an unconstitutional restraint on farmers who wish to sell or otherwise distribute, and people who wish to consume, unpasteurized milk and milk products.” His statement introducing this legislation, said in part:
Hard as it is to believe, the federal government is actually spending time and money prosecuting small businesses for the "crime" of meeting their customers' demand for unpasteurized milk! Recently the Food and Drug Administration conducted a year-long sting operation targeting Rainbow Acres Farms in Pennsylvania. As a result of this action, Rainbow Acres' customers will no longer be able to purchase unpasteurized milk from this small Amish farm.
Mr. Speaker, many Americans who the government wishes to deny the ability to purchase unpasteurized milk have done their own research and come to the conclusion that unpasteurized milk is healthier than pasteurized milk. These Americans have the right to consume these products without having the federal government second-guess their judgment about what products best promote health. If there are legitimate concerns about the safety of unpasteurized milk, those concerns should be addressed at the state and local level.
I urge my colleagues to join me in promoting individual rights, the original intent of the Constitution, and federalism by cosponsoring my legislation to allow the interstate shipment of unpasteurized milk and milk products for human consumption.
Raw milk consumption is legal in all fifty states, but its sale is illegal in about half of the states. This has led to raw milk consumers crossing state lines to access producers in neighboring states.
Inspired in part by tales of armed raids at dawn on Amish farmers, Representative Ron Paul has introduced Bill HR 1830 in Congress to remove a federal ban on raw or unpasteurized milk.
Supporters of “real milk” are thrilled. The legislation, introduced on May 12, would allow the shipment and distribution of unpasteurized milk and milk products for human consumption across state lines.
Currently federal regulations ban the interstate sale of unpasteurized milk, providing that:
“…no person shall cause to be delivered into interstate commerce or shall sell, otherwise distribute, or hold for sale or other distribution after shipment in interstate commerce any milk or milk product in final package form for direct human consumption unless the product has been pasteurized..”
The current bill would repeal that federal regulation and although it would not force a state to legalize the sale of raw milk from local producers, it would enable consumers to purchase raw milk and raw dairy products from other states without violating federal law.
Rep. Paul had previously called the ban on raw milk "pasteurization without representation" on The Colbert Report.
Known for his libertarian views, Representative Paul views his proposed legislation as the removal of “an unconstitutional restraint on farmers who wish to sell or otherwise distribute, and people who wish to consume, unpasteurized milk and milk products.” His statement introducing this legislation, said in part:
Hard as it is to believe, the federal government is actually spending time and money prosecuting small businesses for the "crime" of meeting their customers' demand for unpasteurized milk! Recently the Food and Drug Administration conducted a year-long sting operation targeting Rainbow Acres Farms in Pennsylvania. As a result of this action, Rainbow Acres' customers will no longer be able to purchase unpasteurized milk from this small Amish farm.
Mr. Speaker, many Americans who the government wishes to deny the ability to purchase unpasteurized milk have done their own research and come to the conclusion that unpasteurized milk is healthier than pasteurized milk. These Americans have the right to consume these products without having the federal government second-guess their judgment about what products best promote health. If there are legitimate concerns about the safety of unpasteurized milk, those concerns should be addressed at the state and local level.
I urge my colleagues to join me in promoting individual rights, the original intent of the Constitution, and federalism by cosponsoring my legislation to allow the interstate shipment of unpasteurized milk and milk products for human consumption.
Raw milk consumption is legal in all fifty states, but its sale is illegal in about half of the states. This has led to raw milk consumers crossing state lines to access producers in neighboring states.