A bill that would regulate raw milk in South Dakota has passed the legislature and is expected to be signed by the state’s governor.
Marv Post, president of the South Dakota Dairy Producers, tells Brownfield they were not opposed to the continued sales of raw milk, “We felt that that was an individual’s right. But, we were very concerned about the increased health problems, health risks, with raw milk.”
While the South Dakota Department of Agriculture will come up with rules and regulations for raw milk, Post says, they are concerned that it may allow for levels of E. coli not allowed in pasteurized milk, or drinking water, for that matter, “When the rule-making is done they may allow for 50-parts-per-million of E. coli in it. We think that’s detrimental.”
Post says the commercial dairy industry, which sells only pasteurized milk, may get a black eye in the event of illness or death caused by raw milk consumption and they are especially concerned about the young and elderly who have even greater risk.
Post says their group will work with the department of agriculture in an advisory capacity.
By: Julie Harker
Source: Brownfield Ag News