Action pnum1287 Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log HB 2030 - REMOVE Cow Share Amendment - Honor Virginians' property rights ********** [124848:062017] B.W., Suffolk, VA As consumers, we should have the right to choose who we buy our food products from as well as small farms should be able to sell natural, farm raised products, to include raw milk. If the consumer chooses the risk, that's on them, but it should still remain their choice. ********** [220031:020317] J.C., Arlington, VA I really would appreciate your removing the Cow Share Amendment. This is a very important issue. Thank you for your consideration to this matter. My family personally benefits from raw milk, especially my 26-year-old son with Cerebral Palsy, who is more cognitive and does not get sick as frequently--which means a huge difference in his home care. ********** [143155:020317] H.K., Virginia Beach, VA 1. The right to freedom of food choice from the source of one's choice should be allowed. Virginia consumers are denied raw milk, homemade pies, on-farm processed meat (less stress for the animal), and a host of nutrient-dense heritage foods produced by talented home cooks and food artisans. 2. The freedom to opt out of government-licensed food is as important as the freedom to opt out of government-licensed medicine or education. 3. Selling food does not make it harmful. So far, Virginia allows complete freedom for food items to be given away. If unregulated food is as inherently unsafe as bureaucrats and industrial agriculture representatives allege, donated food for community events should be prohibited as well. 4. Freedom from licensure is granted to small components of otherwise heavily regulated industries (e.g., elder care, child care, home education). Recognizing the inherent accountability in face-to-face relationship-based commerce and small-scale transactions enjoys legal precedent and common sense. 5. Food from government-approved sources in the industrial food system typically contains approved "safe" levels of pesticides and herbicide residues, plus GMO ingredients, MSG, and rBGH, people want local alternatives. 6. Decentralized and locally-based food systems are less vulnerable to bioterrorism. A centralized system of massive industrial farms, with food traveling back and forth across the country, is inherently weak and susceptible to contamination on a huge scale. 7. Community-based commerce stimulates local economies. Dollars stay local and support viable farm- and home-based businesses, and provide superior nutrition for those who seek out local artisan foods. ********** [235635:020217] B.W., Mount Jackson, VA Government-licensed food has a questionable track record. Government approved industrial food contains approved "safe" levels of pesticides and herbicide residues, plus GMO ingredients, MSG, and rBGH, and people want a local alternative. Even government inspected organic food has been subjected to massive recalls, due to the packing plant canning the same vegetables for many brands. It is kept quiet. ********** [201027:020217] M.K., Woodstock, VA Please remove the cow share amendment from HB 2030. The Government should not be treating adults as infants who need the nanny state's protection. My family owns a share in a cow and we have been drinking raw milk since we moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 2002. The milk comes from healthier animals that are grass fed on fertilizer-free and pesticide and herbicide-free property. Please just leave us alone and pay attention to real issues like food labeling. Treat adults like adults and let us make our own decisions about the foods we buy and consume. ********** [193810:020217] J.D., Roanoke, VA I know my farmer, I have observed his operation. I would not own part of the cows without that. Do not regulate me. I can make my own decisions on what to eat or drink. Drain the swamp of dairy industry lobbyists who see raw milk as competition. ********** [134100:020217] A.W., Great Falls, VA I believe that I should have the freedom of food choice and that I have the common sense to do this well for myself and my family. I want to choose whether to buy and consume raw milk, homemade pies, on-farm processed meat, and many other nutrient-dense heritage foods produced by talented home cooks and food artisans. ********** [133624:020217] S.H., Williamsburg, VA The right to freedom of food choice from the source of one's choice should be allowed. ********** [090741:020217] M.D., Dumfries, VA I am opposed to the Cow Share Amendment to HB 2030. I am requesting you remove it. We have been drinking raw milk through the cow share program for years. It works well for both the farmer and the owners, without government interference, and is much healthier. This amendment is completely unnecessary. Community based commerce stimulates local economies. ********** [154544:020117] J.F., Fairfax, VA Hello, Please REMOVE the cow share amendment on HB 2030. We don't want or need the government or the state deciding for us what we want to eat or drink. We want our cows to be living on family farms and treated well, not in the horrible system of factory farming. Sincerely, Dr. Jane Frost ********** [135344:020117] K.W., Arlington, VA My family drinks our milk from our cow share. We can't board our cow at our home in Arlington. The cow share makes it possible for us to have fresh, local dairy products, and provides a sustainable income for a Virginia farmer. If we butchered a pig for our own use, we wouldn't need to label it, would we? This is no different. ********** [131155:020117] J.T., Charles City, VA This is a bad bill which will make it harder for the family farms which are the backbone of Virginia's proud heritage. Freedom from licensure is granted to small components of otherwise heavily regulated industries (e.g., elder care, child care, home education). Recognizing the inherent accountability in face-to-face relationship-based commerce and small-scale transactions enjoys legal precedent and common sense. ********** [130602:020117] K.M., Montebello, VA Remove the new "Cow Share Amendment" from HB 2030. I have freedom of food choice and would like to continue to have freedom of food choice. Please remove this amendment. Thank you for your consideration. ********** [122213:020117] E.L., Falls Church, VA Americans are getting very tired of the government trying to run everything. Get off the farm!!! Stop trying to tell us what we can consume. We know our health needs better than a government worker. ********** [121339:020117] J.H., Ashland, VA Please protect our property rights and our freedom of choice regarding food purchases. Thank you. ********** [120818:020117] C.C., Floyd, VA 1. The right to freedom of food choice from the source of one's choice should be allowed. Virginia consumers are denied raw milk, homemade pies, on-farm processed meat (less stress for the animal), and a host of nutrient-dense heritage foods produced by talented home cooks and food artisans. ********** [114354:020117] L.H., Mechanicsville, VA "Many licensed Grade A cow dairies across Virginia offer cow shares to fulfill consumer demand and offset the historically low income they receive from shipping raw milk to bottling plants. With the cost of inputs (feed, labor, utilities, etc) continuing to increase and the price cow dairy farmers receive continuing to decrease, we should be applauding these hard working souls rather than regulate them out of existence. I oppose the amendment to HB2030 that would place an unnecessary burden on farmers and impose restrictions on private contracts between a willing farmer and a willing consumer. I hope you will too." ********** [105311:020117] M.C., Mechanicsville, VA HB 2030 - Please REMOVE Cow Share Amendment - Honor Virginians' property rights. My husband has health issues and has found that fresh milk does not bother him and store bought milk does. Please don't take away his right to high nutrition and good health. Thank you ********** [102009:020117] K.R., Maurertown, VA Stop telling me what I can and cannot buy!! Perhaps you've heard of a Supreme Court case from 1906 that has been cited 1600 times that states we citizens have the right to unlimited contract stop interfering in that right please! ********** [095412:020117] N.P., Ashland, VA Remove cow share amendment and support right to choose our milk. ********** [091852:020117] P.B., Virginia Beach, VA For a state that was the father of presidents, this is more nanny-statism. I'm tired of being protected by the state. ********** [085236:020117] R.S., Ferrum, VA Please remove cow shares from HB 2030. It is no business of the government,s if my neighbor and I share the cost, upkeep, and milk and meat of cows, or any other animal, for that matter. This cow share language opens the door for all kinds of unnecessary and unlawful regulation of private property. ********** [085002:020117] E.S., Yorktown, VA As a share owner, I want you to stay off my property. Government has no place in legal ownership of farm products. ********** [082943:020117] C.C., King William, VA Many licensed Grade A cow dairies across Virginia offer cow shares to fulfill consumer demand and offset the historically low income they receive from shipping raw milk to bottling plants. With the cost of inputs (feed, labor, utilities, etc) continuing to increase and the price cow dairy farmers receive continuing to decrease, we should be applauding these hard working souls rather than regulate them out of existence. I oppose the amendment to HB2030 that would place an unnecessary burden on farmers and impose restrictions on private contracts between a willing farmer and a willing consumer. I hope you will too. ********** [081442:020117] R.E., Roanoke, VA Please protect our freedom of food choice! This is essential to ensure the continued growth and health of a vital part of Virginia's economy. **********