Bill allowing raw milk sales in Wis. advances

MADISON, Wis.

Limited raw milk sales would be allowed in Wisconsin through 2011 under a bill that has advanced out of a Senate committee.

The Senate Agriculture and Higher Education Committee voted Wednesday to advance the bill that allows for the sales directly from a dairy farmer to the customer.

Sellers must meet a series of requirements, including obtaining a special permit, consenting to regular testing and clearly labeling the milk as being unpasteurized.

The same lawmakers who are sponsoring the raw milk bill on Tuesday asked for a Legislative Council study on the issues related to raw milk sales in the hopes of reaching consensus on how to proceed.

All the action comes following a 10-hour public hearing in the issue last week in Eau Claire.