Grothman Responds to Doyle's Raw Milk Veto

Oh No! Say It’s Not True –

Doyle Vetoes Raw Milk Bill

It’s Appalling Wisconsin Takes the Lead

in Declaring War on Fresh Milk

Today, Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) expressed outrage that Governor Doyle vetoed Senate Bill 434, a bill designed to provide a legal formula for selling raw milk in the State of Wisconsin.

“While the sale of unpasteurized milk was technically illegal in the State of Wisconsin, the Department of Agriculture did not enforce this ban until last year. For the Dairy State to take the lead in banning sales of raw milk while California allows the sale at retail stores is infuriating,” said Grothman.

“My heart goes out to the hundreds of people who have been advised by doctors, chiropractors, and nutritionists to drink raw milk for their problems who now will have to suffer,” said Grothman. “Most farmers drink raw milk themselves and many give raw milk to their employees and relatives. They know it’s healthier. Whether it’s arthritis, allergies, stomach disorders, or obesity, raw milk’s the way to go. Hopefully, we can find a way to make this legal again soon.”

The fact that agribusiness and the State Medical Society weighed in shows that enforced conformity and a lack of freedom is becoming accepted in America.

It’s important that all consumers of raw milk -- as well as freedom lovers in general -- weigh in strongly with elected officials who will be sworn in next January.

GOV. DOYLE VETOES RAW MILK BILL

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today vetoed Senate Bill 434 in its entirety, in order to protect the health of Wisconsin citizens and the state’s dairy industry. Governor Doyle issued the following statement regarding his action on the raw milk bill:

“I recognize that there are strong feelings on both sides of this matter, but on balance, I must side with the interests of public health and the safety of the dairy industry.

“I am listening to the unanimous voice of public health professionals including leading doctors at the Marshfield Clinic and Gundersen Lutheran Health System who have found the sale of raw milk to have potentially harmful health effects. "

MORE HERE.
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To view the veto message visit: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=19596

DOYLE may VETO Raw Milk Bill - YOUR TESTIMONY needed TODAY

From People For Raw Milk:

The dairy businesses have pulled in a very big gun – a big national cheese
production business – to pressure Doyle to veto the raw milk bill. Senator
Glen Grothman has asked for health testimonials. He needs them by the end of
the day today (Thursday) so he can hand deliver all of them to the Governor’
s office tomorrow (Friday). The governor is supposedly going to decide what
he wants to do about the raw milk bill this weekend or no later than
Tuesday. Send your health testimonial directly to senator Grothman’s office.
His e-mail address is

Sen.grothman@legis.wisconsin.gov

His office number is 608-266-7513 if you want to contact them for more
information.

One more every important action to take immediately:

Call the Governor’s office (608-266-1212) one more time this week .
Ask him to sign the raw milk bill because you want the right to choose raw
milk because it has been so beneficial for your health. Next Monday or
Tuesday please make the same phone call again.

GOV. DOYLE to sign RAW MILK BILL into law TODAY

Governor Doyle is expected to sign the Raw Milk Bill (Kreitlow/Danou) into law today. A victory for farmers throughout Wisconsin.

MADISON, Wis. — Proponents of unpasteurized milk hope a victory in "America's Dairyland" will encourage other states to legalize sales and make it more available nationwide.

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has indicated he will sign a bill the Legislature passed late last month allowing farms to sell raw milk directly to consumers through 2011. Although the bill is limited in scope, advocates who've worked for years promoting raw milk say legalization in Wisconsin could lead to broader acceptance nationwide.

"It's the best state this could have happened in for us," said Sally Fallon Morell, president of the Washington-based Weston A. Price Foundation, a nonprofit group that advocates drinking raw milk.

Raw Milk Bill Passes Assembly - on way to Governor's Desk

On April 22, the Kreitlow-Danou Raw Milk Bill SB434 passed the Assembly 60-35 and is now on it's way to Governor Doyle's desk for his signature. If Doyle signs the bill, it will enable farmer's to sell raw milk until 2011, when the bill is expected to come around again with amendments.

Read more about the bill HERE.

Raw Milk Bill PASSES Senate today

Madison - Following months of debate between public health agencies and people who believe that raw milk is a healthy food, the state Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation that would legalize sales of unpasteurized milk to the public.

They passed the measure 25-8, sending it to the Assembly, which could take it up next week.

Senators in favor of the legislation said consumers should have the right to decide whether they want to buy raw milk direct from farms licensed by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Senators against the legislation said they did not want to pass a law without first addressing safety issues.

Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls), an author of the bill, said it would help a small number of farmers who have decided to sell raw milk. They will be committed to making sure they have clean facilities "because it's their life and their livelihood on the line," he said.

But Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit), a retired nurse, said the bill would put the public at risk.

"We don't appreciate public health until we don't have it," she said.

The legislation now goes to the state Assembly, which must pass it next week for it to forward it to Gov. Jim Doyle before the regular legislative session ends. Its fate is unclear in the Assembly; Doyle has said he would sign a raw milk bill into law under the right circumstances.

Twenty-five states allow some form of unpasteurized milk sales. Advocates say the Dairy State's handling of the issue will send an important signal to the rest of the nation, including other states that are considering legalizing raw milk sales.

Advocates say milk straight from the cow's udder contains nutrients, enzymes, and bacteria that boost the immune system and can cure a plethora of ailments including tuberculosis, heart failure, high blood pressure, prostate disease, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma and obesity.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the risks of unpasteurized milk greatly outweigh any purported benefits because of the harmful bacteria it may carry.

Drinking raw milk or eating raw milk products is like playing Russian roulette with your health, the FDA says on its Web site.