Oregon Likely to Lift Ban on Raw Milk Advertising

Christine Aderson, a small farmer in Oregon, was targeted by the Department of Agriculture a few years ago for advertising the sale of fresh, raw milk on her website. Now, a unanimous 9-0 vote by the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources may send the ban on raw milk advertising to the garbage bin.

The 9-0 vote sends House Bill 2446 as written to the floor without any amendments, meaning raw milk sellers will likely be free to sell their product unencumbered by Big Ag interference – just in time for a national dairy shortage happening due to the recent drought in California.

Unlike Anderson, who was subject to an investigation, possible jail time, and fines and civil penalties adding up to more than $16,250, small dairy farmers will be able to sell their milk without interference. Anderson was aided in her fight against the Department of Agriculture by a non-profit agency that sued based on her First Amendment rights which does not allow the government to ban speech about any legal product.

Anderson’s lawsuit against the state was not for monetary damages, but merely for an order declaring the advertising ban unconstitutional and ceasing its enforcement. In other words, she just wanted the right to sell a healthful food to her fellow Oregonians.

Oregon is one of 30 states that allow limited raw milk sales, restricting the transactions to those which occur only on the producing farm and sets a limit of two cows, nine sheep, and nine goats on the premises where the milk is produced. In essence – a small dairy farm.

Raw milk is very different from most of the milk sold in grocery stores today. First and foremost, it doesn’t contain Monsanto’s rBGH, a genetically engineered growth hormone that caused female cow utters to swell grotesquely and increases cancer risks in humans. Raw milk is also usually without antibiotics, pesticide residues, and other hormones used primarily by Big Ag farms. Raw milk has also been used to treat allergies, and reportedly to treat serious illnesses, such as Lyme disease.

All 50 states should consider allowing organic raw milk to be sold straight from the farmer to the consumer. This would also eliminate the need for acre upon acre of GMO corn and soy, often used to feed livestock.

For a full history of raw milk and its sale in the United States, you can visit Real Raw Milk Facts.

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Image from: Bullhorn.nationofchange