Upholding raw milk in California as seen by a Canadian

Jim

One of the reasons I was grateful to Jeff Everson of Planet muscle
magazine for publishing my address to Governor Schwarzenegger was my
stern belief that what happens in California ultimately will have
repercussions worldwide.  I am Canadian and watching very closely the
California raw milk battle because I am concerned that a loss out there
will negatively affect our trial in May of this year in Ontario, Canada.


In November of 2006, our biodynamic farmer, Michael Schmidt's farm was
raided by the Ontario Ministry of natural Resources.  He was also raided
in a military fashion back in 1994 where they ransacked his farm causing
Michael enormous financial and emotional grief.  However, the raid this
time was a little more subdued due to the fact that Michael and family
immediately began filming the event and had the media there within
hours.  In fact, we had the news out worldwide within hours this time.

Unfortunately for Canadians, our government has clamped down on raw milk
treating it as if it were a toxic substance.  They really have infringed
on our constitutional rights and more and more people are getting fed up
with the loss of our freedoms to choose anything.   Regardless of the
raid and the coming trial where Michael is up on several charges, more
and more farmers are beginning to offer cow shares.

This will definitely be an interesting year on both sides of the border.


Randy Roach .

To make raw milk available, know the science and facts...

We recently made steps ahead in making raw milk legal in California. There is more to be done on that, based on the wording of the resolutions and 6 month moratorium and so on. We will get details for you. Ponder this: what if none of us health seekers had found out about the few words being added into AB1735? Because we were alerted somehow, we managed to show ourselves in force, with our research and testimony and at least not get trampled. There is some really bitter and completely false "information" circulating, paid for by some vested interests with deep pockets, and symbolized as public interest. (I can provide examples if you wish).
Thomas Jefferson said this better than I can: "I know of no safe depository of the ultimate power of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion." It is toward this aim that the Primal Diet newsletter is written. Armed with the science (for instance the PETITION and REPORT IN FAVOR OF NATURAL MILK that was handed to each Senator and Representative of the United States of America in the summer of 2007 and is available to subscribers at www.wewant2live.com) each of us may represent our cause with facts. Please send me any comments and links apropos to the above.

Raw Milk in California - a victory in the making

Those of us who appeared in Sacramento today to support the cause of raw milk supply in California made a definite step ahead! We packed the courthouse and slipped in our testimony here and there. In the words of one demonstrator, "it was a healthy crowd that is not going to give up!" The details will follow on this blog, but the vote was YES 8-0. Video footage may be available; check this blog regularly.

Your reason for drinking raw milk is valid...

As of January 7, 2008 our access to raw milk is still not protected and the law has not yet been repealed or overturned. CA still plans to enforce AB 1735 an the new testing is beginning.

Thank you for signing the online petition on our website. I am writing to update you. The firm of Gross Belsky in San Francisco is filing a lawsuit in the next few days.

Our consumers' suit is different than the one being filed through the WAP associated Farm to Consumer Legal Defense. That suit is on behalf of the producers. Both producers are in communication with us about our suit and the legal teams are also in communication. We all agree that having several suits filed only strengthens our chances of protecting our right to food choice in California. We would like the following specific types of plaintiffs:

1. a person who wants to drink raw milk for personal reasons (such as bodily integrity, believing foods should be in their natural state, etc.)

2. a person whose doctor has told him or her not to drink pasteurized milk, but only raw milk.

3. a person who drinks raw milk for medical reasons, but has not been directed by a doctor to drink raw milk.

4. a person whose religion has dietary principles, and one of those principles is to drink raw milk.

We would like at least one of these plaintiffs to be a San Francisco resident and all should be California residents.

Please help us find plaintiffs of the above description for the suit. We are almost ready to file. If you would like to be a plaintiff, please email terry@grossbelsky.com or write to us on the "contact us" page.

Please continue to donate to fund the lawsuit. Most importantly, please pass on our website www.saverawmilk.org to your friends and contacts to help spread the word. We feel sure that what happens to raw milk in California will impact the rest of the country and perhaps the world. So even if you don't live in California, please inform yourself, spread the word and support us as best you can.

Thank you, Theo and the SaveRawMilk.org team

Hi, raw-milk lovers, from Aajonus:

Your diligence is working, faxing and mailing letters to State officials. Again, when the CA State health department is involved in anything, I am not optimistic until it is over. Raw milk is still very threatened. The head of agriculture refused to put it in writing that our raw milk supply would not be impaired by AB1735. They have not withdrawn their statement to the press that they are going to enforce Ab1735. Everyone has refused to put anything in writing except law AB1735 will be enforced sooner or later. As far as I can tell, they are measuring our resolve on this issue. That means that we have, in down-home vernacular, to stay on their butts like hip pockets.

This is not a time to rejoice and congratulate ourselves on pushing them to the point that they are going public with something. We do not know what they are going to do or announce. Several of the producers group think that this is all in our favor. I guarantee that there is nothing to celebrate because the only thing they have put in writing and publicly supported is AB1735. Besides the present ministration, they are the most ruthless bunch of thugs that I have ever encountered and I have dealt with them too many times on this issue since 1970. They have never willingly given up anything. Only by force of numbers and action by lawsuit and/or letters/faxes/calls.

We have the opportunity to be heard on this issue before the Assembly Agriculture Committee on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16TH, specifically addressing a proposed bill that will be written and altered on Monday, January 14th. We do not have any idea what that bill is going to say. Some people are very optimistic but as I stated, they have given nothing but shallow promises. Whatever the bill states by Monday evening, we must be prepared to support it or condemn it beginning now. I give a proposed letter to fax below to each Assembly Agriculture Committee member.

Those who are willing to travel to Sacramento to demonstrate for the safety of raw milk, should make arrangements immediately. In Los Angeles the day of the vote, we had a record demonstration at a County Board meeting. We had so many people that wanted to be heard on the raw milk issue, they agreed to vote yes if everyone that was pro-raw milk declined to be speak. I agreed if they would put it in writing. They did and I agreed. That bill dissolved the 38-years-old County Medical Milk Commission, putting 6 doctors out of a government job.

Usually committees begin about 9:20 am and hear debates all day on proposed bills. You never know which one they will address at any particular time even though there is a schedule; so be there early. Have someone posted in the Agriculture hearing room because they could call on the bill when no one expects it. If the subject were scheduled for 1:30 pm and they call it at 10 am, you lose your chance to speak on the issue. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors tried that one twice in 4 meetings. Because I had someone posted in the meeting, she was able to alert us to the sneaky tactic. If no one is there when the issue reaches the floor, they simple state it is a no-show contest and we lose everything we had work for to that point. It is an ugly game that they know how to play very well. Do not underestimate them. Do not trust them. I will not be there because I am in a remote area of Thailand where I cannot get a phone connection in many places.

Have demonstration signs stating "RAW MILK PROVEN SAFE; LESS REGULATIONS NOT MORE!" Any other declaration will be moot. We must stress the safety issue because that is where they attack raw milk. Yes, freedom of choice is very important but as you know from this administration, freedom of choice is a matter of what they think safety is.

WHERE: California State Capital, at 10th and L Streets, Sacramento, CA, Room 4202

WHEN: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 9 am. Begin demonstration immediately. You may occupy the side walk but you must leave room for people to freely pass. Do not block the sidewalks, steps or doors. They will declare you are unsafely demonstrating and order you to stop. If you see anyone jeopardizing your demonstration and refuses to stop, call on a police officer to handle the situation. Have video cameras rolling to be certain that everything is documented if the government tries to refuse your demonstration. Constitutionally, you do not need a permit unless you disrupt sidewalks and street traffic.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Children speak volumes for support of raw milk*.
• Banners and signs that do not obstruct traffic, stating: RAW MILK PROVEN SAFE; LESS REGULATIONS NOT MORE.
• Food, especially raw milk!
• Your written prepared statement of why you want raw milk or testimonial - must be 2 minutes or less.

*A 10-years-old boys testimonial at a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting: "My name is ______, I have asthma. I cannot drink pasteurized milk. It makes me sick. I can drink raw milk and I feel good when I drink it. Don't take my raw milk away from me."
That testimony was the most moving to everyone in the room and it was given in about 1 minute.

Thank you all! We are going to win this issue. Also, the lawsuit is almost ready to file. Please continue to visit www.SaveRawMilk.org and donate.

healthfully,
aajonus

------------------------------

Suggested letter for faxing (faxes are always best) and mailing (for those of you who do not live in CA, you may or may not delete the first sentence):

January 13, 2008
Re: Raw-milk proven safe; less regulations not more!

Dear Agriculture Committee Member,

Since you have governance over all of California Agricultural law, and I live in California, I am your constituent.

There has not been one scientifically proved link between raw milk and any type of illness. All of the reports that linked raw milk to diarrhea and/or vomit were associated by survey and hearsay not science. When a hospital or doctor reported a case of diarrhea or vomit, a health department employee called the sufferer and asked what s/he ate. Each time that it was discovered that raw milk was consumed, investigations and inquiry stopped and raw milk was blamed. That is not science. That is prejudice based on rhetorical nonsense that raw milk carries, spreads and causes disease. There is absolutely no sound science to prove those assertions. Those erroneous claims rooted in the 1930's when Knudsen Dairy began pasteurization and wanted to eliminate the raw-milk competition. They hired writers and doctors to create and generate myth that raw milk was dangerous. The myth still exists and your health department continues to believe and act on myth.

True science has been done and reported that raw milk benefits health. The research and observation were by Harvard, Princeton, Cambridge, University of Georgia Dairy Science Department, Dartmouth College, Ohio State University School of Agricultural Chemistry, Washington University School of Medicine, Tufts University, Mayo Clinic of Minnesota, Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation, Weston A. Price Foundation as swell as medical journals and publications such as Certified Milk Magazine, American Association of Medical Milk Commission, Milk Industry Foundation, The Lancet, JAMA, World Cancer Research Fund, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, New England Journal of Medicine, British Medical Journal, Consumer Reports, Consumer's Union, St. Vincent's Hospital, and the prestigious Hartford Hospital. I understand that Dr. Vonderplanitz sent you his and Dr. Douglass' report covering raw-milk fact, not fiction. If you have misplaced it or need another copy, contact Dr. Vonderplanitz at optimal@earthlink.net.

Also, Fact:
coliform (col·i·form) (ko´lĭ-form) [L. colum a sieve] Lactose-fermenting, gram-negative bacilli.
Lactobacillus acidofilus, bulgaris and causicus - beneficial coliform bacteria found in the intestinal tract of healthy mammals

genus Lactobacillus - type genus of the family Lactobacillaceae

lactobacillus - a Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium that produces lactic acid (especially in milk)

Acidofilus is sold to aid digestion. Yogurts full of coliform are sold to better digestion and health.

The State's coliform regulation does not address any bacteria that is isolated and reported to cause disease, such as E.coli 0157:H7. In fact, the new coliform regulations are superfluous to the claim that they protect the health of the people. Getting rid of healthful coliform does exactly the opposite.

Comparing regulations of pasteurized and raw milk is like comparing apples to oranges. I choose to drink raw milk because of the live coliform that helps digestion, the intact vitamins and enzymes, and stable proteins, fats and milk-sugars. Virtually ridding the milk of healthful coliform by pasteurization or any other method does not make milk more sanitary or safe. It makes it less digestible and nutritious. My family and I want beneficial coliform in our milk. Forcing raw dairy producers to eliminate coliform by poisoning the raw milk with iodine or any other substance does not add nutrient value to raw milk. In fact, it does the opposite, poisons it and makes it unsafe. Statements that raw milk are unsafe are scientific nonsense fed to you by the FDA and CDC. Please, NOT ONLY REVERSE ALL REFERENCES TO COLIFORM COUNTS IN RAW MILK BUT ELIMINATE SUPERFLUOUS REGULATIONS OF RAW MILK.

Thank you. I look forward to your written response.


CA Ag members::

Nicole Parra, State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0030, (916) 319 - 2030
(916) 319 - 2130 Fax

Doug LaMalfa, State Capitol, Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0002, Ph: (916) 319-2002
Fax: (916) 319-2102

Tom Berryhill, State Capitol Room 4116, Sacramento, CA 95814, Ph: (916) 319-2025
Fax: (916) 319-2125

Mervyn M Dymally, State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0052, (916) 319-2052
No fax number listed; you will have to call the office on Monday to discover fax number.

Jean Fuller, State Capitol Room 3098, Sacramento, CA 95814, Ph: (916) 319-2032
Fax: (916) 319-2132

Cathleen Galgiani, State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0017, Tel: (916) 319-2017
Fax: (916) 319-2117

Dave Jones, State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0009, (916) 319 - 2009
(916) 319 - 2109 Fax

Tony Mendoza, State Capitol, P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento, CA 94249-0056, Tel: (916) 319-2056
Fax: (916) 319-2156