MA: Family Farming Regulatory Relief Act (Passed)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

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Sponsor: Vivaportugalhabs

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

YaY!! 

I strongly support this.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I'm on board with most of this, but am unsure about Section 2. Could the sponsor please explain why it is beneficial to take this step?

[VPH]

It provides a greater choice for consumers. Some swear by the health properties of raw milk, so I believe they should have that choice. Moreover, it allows family farmers to procure another source of revenue and opens up the cheese and yogurt making businesses to smaller farmers that might be shut out if required to go through regulatory processes. If it's too much of a concern, I'm up for amendments.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I propose the following amendment:

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According to the CDC, areas where raw milk can be legally consumed are more likely to see outbreaks of salmonella and other harmful bacteria. I'm all for giving people more choices, but this strikes me as a public health issue - not unlike requiring parents to vaccinate their children before sending them to school.

http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/raw-milk-index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/nonpasteurized-outbreaks-2012.html

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Representatives have 24 hours to object to Truman's amendment.

[VPH]

Alright, I can compromise on that to get the rest of it passed,

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

I must object. There are Atlasians (many in our region) where raw milk is their only option. Allowing raw milk promotes economic competition.

[Hatman 🍁]

I also oppose the amendment.  Raw milk does more good than harm.

No need to compromise, Habs.

I do wonder if we can add something in this bill stating that patents of organisms will not be recognized in the Mideast, period.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

A vote is now open on Truman's Amendment. Please vote AYE, NAY, or Abstain. Voting will last 72 hours or until a majority has been reached.

Raw milk does more good than harm.

Could you elaborate on this? According to my research, the health benefits of raw milk can also be found in pasteurized milk.

I must object. There are Atlasians (many in our region) where raw milk is their only option.

I would rather see the Mideast take action to make pasteurized milk accessible to all than legalize raw milk. Poor Atlasians should not be forced to expose themselves to salmonella and other harmful bacteria.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE

[VPH]

NAY

[Hatman 🍁]

Nay

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

A vote is now open on Truman's Amendment. Please vote AYE, NAY, or Abstain. Voting will last 72 hours or until a majority has been reached.

Raw milk does more good than harm.

Could you elaborate on this? According to my research, the health benefits of raw milk can also be found in pasteurized milk.

I must object. There are Atlasians (many in our region) where raw milk is their only option.

I would rather see the Mideast take action to make pasteurized milk accessible to all than legalize raw milk. Poor Atlasians should not be forced to expose themselves to salmonella and other harmful bacteria.

We have several states with significant Amish/Mennonite populations including our state of Indiana. Not legalizing raw milk would make make adjusting to pasteurized not easy to do.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

A vote is now open on Truman's Amendment. Please vote AYE, NAY, or Abstain. Voting will last 72 hours or until a majority has been reached.

Raw milk does more good than harm.

Could you elaborate on this? According to my research, the health benefits of raw milk can also be found in pasteurized milk.

I must object. There are Atlasians (many in our region) where raw milk is their only option.

I would rather see the Mideast take action to make pasteurized milk accessible to all than legalize raw milk. Poor Atlasians should not be forced to expose themselves to salmonella and other harmful bacteria.

We have several states with significant Amish/Mennonite populations including our state of Indiana. Not legalizing raw milk would make make adjusting to pasteurized not easy to do.

As I understand, this bill legalizes the sale of raw milk, not the consumption of raw milk. I of course support the right of citizens to drink raw milk if pasteurization goes against their religious beliefs or cultural customs, but inundating the markets with produce that has been shown to lead to salmonella outbreaks is another matter.

I plan to vote for this bill even if my amendment fails, but I'm very concerned that Section 2 needlessly exposes our constituents to harmful diseases such as salmonella. It might well be argued that this is not a problem upper and middle class families: if you don't want to get salmonella, don't buy raw milk. However, poorer Atlasians may not have that choice, as raw milk is often sold at a lower price than pasteurized milk. We are therefore left with a situation where the poor are continually exposed to health risks not felt by the rest of the country, something that I find extremely troubling.

[VPH]

Correct, it legalizes the sale of raw milk.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

With 1 Aye, 2 Nays, and two members not voting, this amendment has failed.

[VPH]

I think we should all join to pass this bill. Heck, another region just passed a similar one, "inspired" by this one. Haha

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

As debate has stalled for more than 36 hours, I motion for a final vote. Representatives have 24 hours to object.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Seeing no objection, we will now proceed to a final vote. Please vote AYE, NAY, or Abstain. Voting will last 72 hours or until all Representatives have voted.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE!

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

Aye

[VPH]

AYE

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

With a vote of 3 Ayes, 0 Nays, and two members not voting, this bill has passed the Assembly.