For Immediate Release
February 15, 2008
Contact: Lisa Landis
Legislative Director
717-787-6709
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Senator Brubaker speaks to Southeast Pennsylvania Grazing Conference

Addresses production and sale of raw milk

QUARRYVILLE – State Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) spoke to approximately 200 farmers at the Southeast Pennsylvania Grazing Conference at the Solanco Fairgrounds in Quarryville on February 12. 

Brubaker was asked to address the production and sale of raw milk and raw milk products in the Commonwealth, a topic he says has been at the heart of several good debates over the past year. 

"As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, I called a hearing last September on the issue of raw milk," Brubaker said, noting that the hearing was a direct result of concerns heard in the statewide listening sessions the Committee held in the spring of 2007. In those sessions, producers talked about the need to develop new, more profitable marketing practices, and noted that producing and selling raw milk and its products could offer that possibility.  

Because of the health risks that can and do accompany raw milk, raw milk and hard cheeses may currently be sold directly by Commonwealth farmers to consumers if they have a permit from the state Department of Agriculture and comply with testing requirements. Requests have been made for the permit-free production of these products as well as soft products such as butter and ice cream.  

"At the September hearing, the Committee had an open and balanced discussion with the goal of addressing some basic questions about government's role in these transactions and in protecting consumers from known risks," Brubaker said. "I do believe a permitting process for raw milk products is appropriate because it provides a level of assurance that the product was produced under the safest of methods." 

From the hearing, Brubaker said the Committee determined that there is certainly a great deal of interest in this topic and should therefore be considered carefully. Committee members and staff are continuing to examine the possibility of changes to current state law. 

"I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this very important issue at the Conference, and look forward to working on this and other important issues to ensure the ongoing success and viability of Pennsylvania farmers," Brubaker said.