AB 1604 Passes: Sing "Hallelujah," Ye Masses

Pictured here: some of the beautiful milk cows at Deep Roots Ranch.

I am posting this update on the raw milk legislation action this week. It's from Mark McAfee, director of the Organic Pastures Dairy and Creamery. I'm not sure yet what the upshot is: it sounds like there was some kind of compromise. And it's gratifying to read that Assemblywoman Nicole Parra "read the riot act" to the CDFA.

That, I would have liked to have seen, but Logan has been very sick for three days, and I couldn't go. I suppose I could have taken him, but his runny nose would not have presented the assembly with the picture of health of a child drinking raw milk. (Why call it "raw"? Call it "real"!)

Read on for MacAfee's e-mail.

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This is Nutmeg, the most beautiful cow I've ever seen, at Deep Roots Ranch. Isn't she purty?

MacAfee writes:

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:

      

1. AB 1604 passed as a committee bill and will go forward as a “consent item.”
2. AB 1604 stops all coliform testing for six months.
3. 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.
4. 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 importantly satisfied 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

Watch an Inspiring Interview with Mark McAfee recapping the Hearing Outcome

VIEW NOW

View slides of AB1735 Events

Organic Pastures Home Page

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Well, thank goodness for all that.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (and I looked a long time before I found one I liked): "The two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a big fat white guy who is threatened by change." — Seth MacFarlane, The Family Guy

Thanks for visiting.

That's all for today. I'm taking care of a very sick little boy, and he's just waking up from his nap.

Comments

[Evan Jerkunica]

I love it! Go raw milk! It tastes soo good and makes amazing keifer...its real food!@!@@!@@!@!@!

Oh man do you ever have organic pastures chocolate milk? Amazing...think that a shipment of raw milk to Taiwan will make it?

love,
Evan Jerkunica

[Susana Rigato]

Great blog!!! I have been working and visiting small farms in remote areas of Argentina. Our project (through Agricultura sin Fronteras, ONG) was related to potatoes. Small farms have done a great job for many years keeping old native varieties, most of them have done a terrific job on crop conservation. They also keep food traditions alive.
Congratulation on your blog about small farms. I love them too.

Susana

[dairy goats in Western North Carolina]

Thanks for keeping your site so current -- it is a fabulous resource for following this noble cause. We admire your fighting spirit and wish you all the best.

[White On Rice Couple]

Growing up with milk from our ranch, it took me years to get used to the school's pasteurized milk. Now a decade & half after being in "civilization" in the Los Angeles area, I've finally been able to find it again and it's the best. Besides the taste & texture, my body just feels better consuming it. Kind of like having homemade chicken noodle soup. Great blog. I'm glad we found you.

[maryb]

I'm so glad you are extolling the virtues of raw milk. We love it. We have 4 kitchen cows on our small farm in Vermont - Irish Dexter miniature cows. They are fantastic for home use.

As a farmer, I also write letters to children in two school classrooms - the kids are always asking what kind of cow gives chocolate milk!

[John]

Loved the blog! yeah! go raw milk~!

[Riana]

Fabulous news! Nutmeg is gorgeous! I love Raw REAL milk and so does my family. Hope that your little guy feels better soon

[teemie]

Hi! I have enjoyed your blog for sometime now. I have linked to it hope that's cool. Small herb / flower farmer going with raw milk here in MI soon !!!!!! Thanks for all you do!

[Michelle]

I think that is a big improvement, instead of raw to call it real....I love it!!

[Alex Tiller]

Hi there. I love your blog. Thanks for the update on the raw milk situation in California. I also blog about farming and agriculture. –Keep up the good work!

Alex Tiller
http://blog.alextiller.com