Farmers and consumers of raw milk are urging Governor Jim Doyle to legalize it. With time running out on a decision from the governor, they rallied on the State Street steps of the Capitol, urging Doyle to sign the bill (SB 434) allowing on farm sales of unpasteurized milk. Otherwise, warned Stoughton area farmer Scott Trautman. “It’s going to be on the governor’s conscience. Thousands more dairy farms, the best dairy farms, the farming legacy, multi-generational farmers (will be) gone forever.”
The event also had something of a Tea Party air to it. “The document called the United States Constitution preserves the rights and freedoms of the people,” said raw milk consumer Roseanne Lindsay. “Nowhere in there does it mention the rights of the dairy industry or DATCP.” Dairy industry groups in Wisconsin, and the public health sector, have asked Doyle to veto the measure. DATCP, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, has fined farmers like Trautman for selling the unpasteurized product. If Doyle does sign the bill, the agency would be charged with overseeing a one year trial of on farm sales, after which permanent rules regulating the practice would be drafted. “Governor, sign the bill, give us a chance,” pleaded Trautman. “We’ve got a year here. We’re going to make you proud. We’re already making you proud.”
“I’d like to see farmers be their own bosses,” said Willi Lehner, a cheesemaker from Blue Mound. “I don’t want farmers to be dictated what they’re going to get paid for their milk. I’m a firm believer that raw milk is a right that we should have, just like eating any raw food.” The rally in support of the measure included free samples of raw milk. “I’ve been playing Russian Roulette for 12 years, according to the CDC,” said Andrew Mastrocola prior to knocking back a cup of unpasteurized milk. “I think I’ll pull the trigger one more time.”
AUDIO: Scott Trautman (7:50) ScottTrautman5182010