RAW MILK WINS in CALIFORNIA!

RAW MILK WINS in CALIFORNIA!

Thanks to last minute "hallway negotiations," Assembly Bill AB 1604 passed with unanimous consent during Ag Assembly hearings held on Wednesday. This will ensure, for now, the continued flow of raw milk in California.

It was standing room only at the State Capitol on Wednesday January 16, 2008. Room 4202 was packed to its capacity with over 400 people, including scores of children on parents' laps. The hallway was filled with overflow crowds. Judging by the number of "I love Raw Milk" pins handed out, the total crowd was estimated at 700.

Assembly members Nicole Parra, Tom Berryhill and Mike Villines sealed the fate of AB 1604 with impassioned speeches berating the sloppy governmental process around AB 1735. Testimony was heard from Collette Cassidy and Dr. Ron Garthwaite of Claravale Dairy, Wholefoods Co-president Walter Robb, and Organic Pastures Founder Mark McAfee. More than 75 people spoke at the microphone supporting their choice in raw milk – among them doctors, nurses, pharmacists, PhDs and, most importantly, children, mothers and fathers. 

AB 1604 is a deal we can all live with

Ideally, AB 1735 should have been reversed so as to eliminate the baseless raw milk coliform standard it included. However, the political reality of the moment said otherwise. Allies to the anti- raw milk forces were deeply imbedded in the hearing committee. The mainstream dairy industry and the California Medical Association also stood against AB 1604. Without last minute negotiations to modify AB 1604, it would have "died in committee" and AB 1735 would be the law of the land. Raw milk availability would have become subject to the uncertainties of litigation, and this was a risk for raw milk consumers that we were unwilling to take.

The results of the vote are as follows:

AB 1604 passed as a committee bill and will go forward as a "consent item."
AB 1604 stops all coliform testing for six months.
AB 1604 allows for additional hearings to be held about coliforms and to review the science, including a six inch thick package of research and support documents submitted at the hearing.
AB 1604 allows for a less-than-50 coliform per ml "in the first bulk tank" starting July 2008. This is achievable and fair, and most importantlysatisfied the parties in opposition.
Nicole Parra reads CDFA the riot act

In a rare scene seldom witnessed at the Capitol, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra admonished the CDFA for its deceitful attack on the democratic process, and for misleading the legislature, saying such a process "will not stand." She insisted AB 1604 pass out of the committee, and said it would fail "over [her] dead body." She was particularly passionate about the fact CDFA had cheated the people out of the democratic process. Republican assembly whip Mike Villines strongly supported Nicole, saying a mistake had been made which will now take courage to correct. Assemblyman and Ag Committee member Tom Berryhill wanted a search for who in the CDFA did this, stating that "heads should roll."

Gifts of raw milk and a march to the governor's office

After the hearings OPDC quarts of Raw milk were given away to all who attended. Then hundreds of supporters marched to the governor's office with a gift of raw milk, to ask for his support. A smaller group also sought support from the speaker of the senate. OPDC marketing director, Kaleigh McAfee, gave raw milk to Nicole Parra, who is lactose intolerant. The word is that she enjoyed it and had no problems at all!

Next Steps

January 16th was a  great day for raw milk but the work is not completed. The next step is to contact your state assemblyman and ask for support of AB 1604 at next vote. Tell them it is a "consent" bill that includes a compromise and has everyone's support. When the vote is closer, we will be asking you to contact Senator Dean Flores as well.

Congratulations to everyone in the raw milk movement.

We have spoken with a heartfelt voice so strong it is impossible to measure, except perhaps, by the tears of many who attended. Your actions have created a power that only comes from the people united in a real purpose.

The people have spoken and raw milk is here to stay!
Warmly,

Mark McAfee, Founder OPDC