Action pnum1141 Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log Drop Proposed Raw Milk Rules or Make Requested Changes ********** [105526:102113] J.W., Rapid City, SD I am distressed that SDDA continues to propose the same confusing regulations for stricter regulations for raw milk sale. There have been 4 hearings without any significant clarification of the proposed regulations. The intent seems to clearly be to prevent the sale of raw milk in SD. This is an unfortunate path that I suspect will lead to further difficulty in accessing locally produced raw foods. I am the daughter of dairy farmers who are no longer in business. I grew up on raw unpasteurized milk and my children were raised on raw un-pasteurized and non homogenized milk. The SDDA efforts to prevent access to this product is deplorable. I do not understand why additional regulations are required when there have not been any evidence that the current regulations for raw milk sale need to become stricter. What health problems have been documented under the current procedures in SD? I find it comforting that I currently know EXACTLY where my raw milk comes from instead of coming from co-mingled milk from unknown sources, most generally from factory farms. I also do not understand the minimal costs quoted for the new proposals for labels. What is the cost for removing the old labels and applying new labels? The most desirable packaging is in re-useable glass bottles. I am not familiar with manufacturing processes, but when I wash bottles with labels they tend to require much effort for removal. Doesn't that incur a significant cost? The producer rewashes the containers after the consumer does a preliminary wash or rinse. I believe at the very least this constitutes a significant amount of time if not a different container. I also believe it constitutes a much higher cost to the producer and ultimately to the consumer. ********** [103104:102113] G.B., Hermosa, SD I know your tactics. You're just trying to wear us out with all these meetings. You are not our protector. You are an impediment to a free marketplace. Quit harassing raw milk producers. We, the people, want raw milk!!!! ********** [090134:102113] R.G., Sturgis, SD In my opinion, South Dakotans should have the freedom of choice to purchase and consume raw milk. Raw milk may not be the choice for all milk consumers, but we should still have the choice. This is not a situation in which we need the government to "protect" us. Raw milk quality standards should not create un-realistic barriers for small farms. The last set of milk regulations from SDDA did not meet this criteria. Rick Grosek Sturgis, SD ********** [075041:102113] K.K., Deadwood, SD My husband and I raised dairy cattle for 11 years and made many types of cheese with the pasteurized milk. I am convinced that the dynamism of raw milk could have contributed to the flavors produced in cheeses made by the traditional methods. Cheesemaking evolved as a way of storing surplus milk because the lactic acid produced as cheeses age destroys human pathogens that may have found their way into the milk. We drank raw milk from our cows during these years and never experienced adverse health effects from our raw milk. The complexity and vitality of the enzymes and nutrients in raw milk should be more widely appreciated. Please allow our raw milk producers to create appropriate rules so that they can succeed in providing the public with raw milk. Raw milk is a safe and healthy choice for our daily sustenance! ********** [074349:102113] J.C., Piedmont, SD Stop the proposed, new rules to selling raw milk in SD. Consumers know what they are buying and some, like me, can't tolerate pasteurized milk. Raw milk is healthy, because it still contains the beneficial enzymes. I challenge any one of you to completely remove dairy from your diet and see how limiting it can be, without being able to buy raw milk. Putting small businesses out of business is WRONG. SD should be supporting these people, not attacking them. Shame on all of you people who are for these new rules. ********** [074005:102113] B.S., Rapid City, SD Generations of my family have used raw milk. That we are still around and healthy should be a testimonial in itself. Now the State of South Dakota is threatening my and my children's choice to consume a healthy, nourishing product. The only other milk left would be adulterated and filled with BGH. Please use common sense and let the choice be mine not yours. Barbara Sherer ********** [072724:102113] W.C., Piedmont, SD Raw milk is not a "novelty" to most of us. It is the only form of milk that we can consume as the result of lactose intolerance. I would hope the "regulators" would take the time to read the labels on the foods that they eat and see what it would be like for them if they had to begin buying foods without dairy. Those of you are trying to "regulate" raw milk are taking the time to fight us, so it is only fair for you to take the time to try a walk in our shoes!!! ********** [071302:102113] L.B., Warrenton, VA My husband and I just relocated from South Dakota to Virginia--we're so grateful we can continue to obtain raw milk here! It saddens me to see the SDDA working so hard to prevent personal choices of those wishing to purchase raw milk. My husband and I have been drinking raw milk (started buying it at the farmers market in Rapid City) and we have been drinking it since and also using it for kefir for almost three years now. It was our educated choice to buy raw milk. My allergies of 60 years have disappeared--along with some other health problems that used to be an issue. Please vote down the new raw milk rules for South Dakota. It should continue to be the choice of the South Dakota raw milk consumer and not what SDDA wants-- Thank you, Lillian Boes ********** [113108:102013] J.K., Rapid City, SD I am asking You, to support and protect Food Freedom and our choice to consume raw milk products which have been deemed healthy, life giving and beneficial without adding cumbersome and unnecessary regulations that would most likely put many of our hard working milk farmers out of business! Thank you for your time and consideration! ********** [065715:102013] J.W., Arlington, SD Drop the proposed raw milk rules or make the requested changes. Consumers have a right to make their own decisions. ********** [030142:102013] B.G., Hammonton, NJ Please, please stop over-regulating what should be a simple farmer to consumer product. When was the last time you drank chilled fresh raw milk? It is as I remember it as a child, delicious and rich, not the watered down stuff we have today with all the nutrients removed. Those that are not comfortable with the process can get theirs from the grocery store. The people that choose to consume raw milk do so purposefully and if the government has their way (yet again) the people and the farmers will suffer. Is that what your legacy should be? I drive over an hour to purchase my raw milk. I have met the farmer, his family, the cow, and the calf that shares her bounty. Please don't make it even harder for your constituents. Thank you for listening. ********** [144225:101913] R.R., Rapid City, SD Adults are capable of making their own choices, and do not require any agencies to impose their dictates in their place. The hallmark of a free society is choice, and to mind your own business. ********** [110033:101913] M.K., Rapid City, SD I am in full agreement that a majority of the proposed rules are a waste of taxpayer time and money as well as damaging to the raw milk producer. There should be a right to drink and eat what each person in our FREE country and FREE state choose. By making rules and laws so difficult for the production of such items, we shut down the very people caring enough to make/keep us well that produce these items. The product is not harmful. That is very OLD research and very biased research in regards to today's production of raw milk. Our government is CHOOSING NOT to take into consideration the current research that PROFESSIONAL REASEARCHERS who are specifically qualified in this area and who support raw milk and the guidelines/rules for its safety have released and published regarding this information. Is there too much control/influence coming from big corporations? Are we losing our freedom to choose our food? ********** [080215:101913] K.S., Spearfish, SD Please keep the risk of consuming raw milk in perspective to risk of other food-borne illness. Since I am unable to raise my own food products, I must buy from outside sources. There is far more risk at the grocery store than from our trusted milk supplier. Do take into consideration the many requests you have received from consumers to not over-regulate, thereby making the production and consumption of raw milk more difficult and cost prohibitive. Do protect the Consumer's " Right to Choose." Consider that many consumers are of the view that the benefits of the "good bacteria" in milk before pasteurization outweigh the risk of bacterial illness. "Need to Protect the Public" is the mantra expressed by the SDDA to control the sale of raw milk. It is sad when this entrenched view allows an overzealous government employee (who would rather drink gasoline) to gleefully shut down a small business food provider, while mishandling the milk sample. (The mishandling of this case was at great cost to the business and the consumer.) I do not understand the resistance from the SDDA to be more reasonable in their approach. ********** [070040:101913] L.D., Keldron, SD Drop Proposed Raw Milk Rules or Make Requested Changes. Despite the negative response from South Dakotans and the legislative rules committee to your proposed rules, you have apparently not gotten the message. We do not want your over reaching and costly rules regarding raw milk. Your blatant attempt to wear out the public with your THREE hearings is just upsetting. Quit trying to push your agenda on a public that doesn't want it. The people have spoken three times now, the legislative rules committee has spoken, move on. These rules will not increase public safety, but just add more red tape and expense for a small group of producers. I sincerely hope that the third time is a charm and you finally get the message. DROP THE RULES!!! ********** [164150:101713] G.S., Eureka, CA Consumer should be able to chose. Don't make this choice for us!!! Let producers offer what we want and need. Thank you! **********