From Pete DeFazio about raw milk

Dear Ms. Sparrowhawk:

Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 778, introduced by Congressman Ron Paul, which authorizes the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk intended for human consumption. I appreciate hearing from you.

I believe informed consumers should have access to raw milk, but this issue is regulated at the state level. While I work frequently with Congressman Ron Paul, I do not think the U.S. federal government is going to usurp state's rights to legislate the availability of raw milk. Raw milk regulations vary from state to state, with about half of the states banning the sale of raw or unpasteurized milk. Oregon currently does not allow for raw milk to be sold for human consumption.

Some believe pasteurization changes the nutritional value of milk, but findings vary amongst studies. On the other hand, pasteurization does kill off bacteria in milk, and raw milk accounts for 70 percent of illnesses attributable to dairy consumption. The Center for Disease Control advises that unpasteurized milk should not be consumed.

Because states currently regulate milk production and safety, I encourage you to contact your state representatives about this issue. I appreciate hearing from you, and I hope you will continue to stay in touch.


Sincerely,
Rep. Peter DeFazioFourth District, OREGON


My thoughts: Actually, there is a licensed raw milk dairy in Oregon... only one that I am aware of, Fern's Edge Goat Dairy. And their milk is goooooood. It may be quite naive for DeFazio to think the Feds really won't mess with states' rights, anyway. They do it all the time. They are voting right now whether to meddle in interstate commerce of small farms. (HR2749).

My reply, sent by email through his website on house.gov:

Dear Congressman DeFazio:
Thank you for your reply regarding Representative Ron Paul's HR778. I wish I believed that the Federal government would not meddle with individual and state rights. A bill before the House today, HR2749, would allow the Feds quite a bit of control over interstate commerce, which the Constitution says the Feds can not do. Ordinary citizens like me would like you to fight every instance in which the Federal government might step into individual and state areas of responsibility and choice, even when it seems that standing up for us may be a moot point because nothing ever happens. You and Ron Paul are in a very small minority of Congressmen who seem to care; caring, like genius, comes with great responsibility.

Also, there are licensed raw milk dairies in Oregon, athough I only know of one personally that actually sells milk rather than cheese. Fern's Edge Goat Dairy sells delicious raw goat milk in health food stores in Eugene.

I will be watching HR2749.

Sincerely,

Larisa Sparrowhawk