DE Alert on SB 273: Legalize Raw Milk Sales in Delaware

Tell Senate Committee Members to Vote YES on SB 273

Legalize Raw Milk Sales in Delaware

Senate Bill 273 (SB 273), “The Consumer Choice Milk Act” that would legalize raw milk sales for human consumption in Delaware, is before the Senate Agriculture Committee; there will be a hearing on May 15 at 11 a.m.

SB 273 would allow the sale of raw milk and raw milk products by dairy farmers who have obtained a permit from the state department of agriculture. Producers must include a warning statement on the labels of the raw milk and raw milk products and must have a similar warning on a sign posted at the point of sale. Producers are subject to inspection and must be in compliance with, among other things, testing, temperature, and training requirements issued through regulation by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

ACTION TO TAKE

1. Call and/or email members of the Senate Agriculture Committee asking that they vote YES on SB 273. It is especially important to contact a committee member if you are a constituent (see Contact Info below). Talking Points listed below can be incorporated into your message.

To find your state senator, enter your address at: http://leghall.delaware.gov/legislature.nsf/FSMain?OpenFrameset&Frame=right&src=/legislature.nsf/LDS

You may copy/paste the following block of emails to contact all members of the committee:

russell.huxtable@delaware.gov; Marie.Pinkney@delaware.gov; Stephanie.Hansen@delaware.gov; Kyra.Hoffner@delaware.gov; Trey.Paradee@delaware.gov; Gerald.Hocker@delaware.gov; David.L.Wilson@delaware.gov

2. Testify either in person or via zoom in favor of SB 273. You must register to testify; a link for registration is here. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, May 15th at 11 a.m. in the Senate Chamber (meeting room S136).

If you have questions about the process, see Public Participant Guide; to register, tap on “Register for Meeting” at https://legis.delaware.gov/MeetingNotice/33340

TALKING POINTS

1. Delaware consumers have a legal right to drink raw milk; why should they have to go to a neighboring state to exercise that right? Delaware consumers want to be able to buy the foods of their choice from Delaware producers.

2. SB 273 could help farms in the state’s dairy industry remain in business. Ten years ago there were 44 Grade A dairies in the state; today there are 14. The dairy farms that remain need other sources of income to survive.

3. Raw milk has a good track record for safety. As demand for raw milk has skyrocketed in recent years, the number of illnesses attributed to raw milk consumption has remained flat or even gone down.

4. The media and public health agencies have been warning people not to drink raw milk because of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). There is no evidence that HPAI in raw milk or any other food can make people sick. [See Peg Coleman’s post, “Where Is the Evidence?”]

WAPF will send out further alerts on SB 273 as events warrant.

CONTACT INFO – Senate Agriculture Committee Members

Russell Huxtable (District 6) – Chair

you may call Legislative Hall (302-744-4114)

russell.huxtable@delaware.gov

Marie Pinkney (District 13) – Vice Chair

302-744-4176

Marie.Pinkney@delaware.gov

Stephanie L. Hanson (District 10)

302-744-4138

Stephanie.Hansen@delaware.gov

Kyra L. Hoffner (District 14)