WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsUPDATE 2: Hundreds turn out for raw milk bill hearing in Eau Claire

UPDATE 2: Hundreds turn out for raw milk bill hearing in Eau Claire

Eau Claire (WQOW) - People fill an Eau Claire auditorium to give their two-cents about raw milk.

At the heart of the debate is whether legalizing the sale of it would be a health risk.  Almost 500 people showed up for a public hearing on a bill that would make the sale of raw milk legal in Wisconsin.

"You can never drink pasteurized milk once you've tasted raw milk, its alive!," says Margo Redmond, a raw milk drinker who traveled from Madison for Wednesday's hearing.

But county and state health department officials say folks who drink raw milk are three times more likely to get sick.

"Only pasteurization, which is estimated to kill 99% of disease-causing organisms can make milk safe for consumption," says Dr. Jim Kazmierczak, Division of Public Health.

Some are concerned that bacteria could one day cause an outbreak of illness or disease.

"Dairy farmers have invested millions of dollars in promoting milk dairy products and it could be a devastating loss both in consumption and income to dairy farmers should a serious outbreak occur," says a farmer from Plum City, who is also a member of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

Supporters of the bill that would legalize the sale of raw milk say you have to remember that these sales would be made directly from the producer to the consumer.  So if there's a health concern, it's a one-step process as opposed to tracing contamination in mass-processed food.  They also say dairy farmers would have a reason to make sure their product is as safe as can be.

"When they know their milk is going to somebody they have to look in the eye when they're giving it to them, and they're looking at the farmer in the eye," says Ted Beals, a retired University of Michigan pathologist.

The current law prohibiting sales was written in 1957.  Since then farming has changed a great deal.

"Today's dairy farmers are light years ahead preceding generations, milking pipelines sanitized twice a day, bulk tanks that maintain the temperature of milk," says Will Fantle, Cornucopia Institute.

Supporters say the bill would also be a way for farmers struggling with low milk prices to earn a little extra income.  The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, the agency in charge of enforcing the current law, is also taking action on raw milk.

"Sec. Rod Nilsestuen has set up a raw milk work group to take an open and fact based approach to see if common ground can be reached on this issue," says Randy Romanski, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

The formation of that panel was announced in January and they have yet to meet.  However those for raw milk legislation say the decision should ultimately rest with consumers.

"A person has a great risk of injury driving to pick up their milk, than reported for drinking raw milk every day of the year," says Beals.

Under the bill, farmers with a grade "A" dairy permit would be able to buy a license to sell raw milk and raw milk products.  Farmers would be required to let consumers know that raw milk doesn't offer the same protections as pasteurized milk.  

Right now, the bill is being discussed in committee.  There's no word on when a vote could take place.

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Eau Claire (WXOW) - Close to 500 farmers have shown up at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) to weigh in on the controversial Raw Milk Bill.

As of 11:10 farmers and their families are taking the stand to share their stores about the qualities of fresh/raw milk.

Twenty-five other states allow the sale or Raw Milk. 

Wisconsin law has required since 1957 that milk sold to consumers should be pasteurized.

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Eau Claire (WQOW) - The public is getting the chance to comment on a state bill that would allow farmers to sell raw milk.

A public hearing is being held today at the Chippewa Valley Technical College's Clairemont campus.  The hearing starts at 10 am.

The bill would allow farmers with a grade A dairy license to purchase a license to sell raw milk to consumers.  Farmers would also have to let customers know that drinking raw milk isn't as safe as drinking pasteurized milk.