Another "raw milk" incident...

[FarCenter]

125. Despite opposition, N.J. Assembly committee OKs DiMaio bill allowing sale of raw milk

Opponents of a bill that would allow the sale of raw milk in New Jersey spoke against it at a public hearing by the state Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources committee.

The committee approved the bill, A518, co-sponsored by John DiMaio of Hackettstown, a Republican representing the 23rd District, which includes portions of Hunterdon, Warren and Somerset counties.

http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/02/despite_opposition_nj_assembly.html

The text of the Bill is at http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/A1000/518_I1.HTM

STATEMENT

This bill would permit the sale of raw milk by a person holding a valid raw milk permit. The bill would also require the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, to establish a raw milk permit program.

The bill authorizes permit holders to sell, offer for sale or otherwise make available raw milk at the farm or property where the raw milk is produced. The bill also establishes standards for the quality of the raw milk that is produced by a permit holder. To protect the public health, the bill establishes certain prerequisites that must be met before a raw milk permit may be granted, including: (1) a signed affidavit by the permit applicant certifying that no growth hormones will be used in the process of producing raw milk; (2) conspicuous warning requirements stating that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization; (3) submission to certain inspections by the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services; and (4) compliance with all applicable provisions of New Jersey’s dairy laws, rules and regulations.

The permit program would be funded by a permit fee estimated by the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, to cover the costs of administering the program.

The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services, would be required to conduct initial testing of the cows intended to be used for the production of raw milk, with ongoing testing as necessary. The permit holder is also required to conduct tests, at the permit holder’s expense, to measure the levels of certain bacteria and pathogens in the raw milk produced. Failing test results are required to be reported to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Senior Services. If the permit holder fails to meet certain standards, by failing two consecutive tests in a one year period, then the raw milk permit shall be revoked.

------------
N.B. -- It appears to be already legal for a farmer to sell shares in a milk cow, and to provide the raw milk from said cow to the shareholder. This would continue without needing the aforementioned raw milk permit.