Aajonus explains what has been going on in Sacramento regarding our right to drink raw milk...

"Hi, raw-milk lovers,
Many of you have been waiting for the results of our January 16th demonstration at Sacramento's State Assembly regarding AB1735 that implemented unconstitutional and unscientific regulations on raw milk that would force our two main raw dairy producers out of business. It is a complicated matter. It depends on timing, action and many people. I waited for something in writing from the Assembly prior to updating you.

Although no one counted, people approximated that 600-700 raw-milk lovers attending the Assembly demonstration. About 400 people were able to attend the meeting (because of capacity limits) while others demonstrated outside. That was extraordinary and you are commended for taking your precious time and expense to make our statement heard loudly and clearly to governments everywhere.

The Assembly, headed by Rep. Nicole Parra, offered a bill submitted March 2007 to reverse the new milk regulations, AB1604. AB1604 had nothing to do with raw milk and was meant to regulate pesticides use. Why Assembly chose to use AB1604 as their device to placate us, is to me very obvious. Since the bill was introduced last year, the bill would have to pass Assembly by January 31st. However, because of tremendous pressure from CDFA, the bill has been stalled and is now null and void. It seems as though it was all a big dance to placate us. Another bill will have to be introduced to reverse AB1735 regulations.

Many people saw all of this as a big victory, but as you know how skeptical I am from experience with CDHS and CDFA, I saw it all as a facade. Regardless, any coliform limit at 50 instead of 10 is not a win for us because, basically, the CDHS and CDFA will have made raw milk more regulated under false pretense and nonscience. Therefore, ultimately, if any bill with coliform regulations passes, raw milk will be advanced as a dangerous food. That is exactly what I an trying to prevent. Some people see the change from 10 to 50 coliform as a win. Any greater regulation of raw milk is a disaster for all of us longterm; it says that raw milk is dangerous and needs more regulation. If such regulation passes, it saves raw-milk producers' businesses but is damaging to our health longterm because health departments got away with whittling our rights to raw milk. However, 1604 will never pass. There is good cop bad cop scenario going on in the Assembly. AB1604 has been pulled for research and cannot be passed before January 31st.

Although many assume our raw milk is safe, we cannot sit back and think the battle is over when it just began. Nothing is law except for AB1735 and when enforced will virtually put commercial dairy out of business sooner rather than later. If any coliform regulation passes, we will lose our milk later rather than sooner. Thank you for continuing the battle, and continuing to visit and donate at www.SaveRawMilk.org.
healthfully,
aajonus "