Brief Description: Relating to ensuring the safety of milk and dairy products.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller, Newhouse and Flannigan.

Hearing Date: 1/31/06

Staff: Meg Van Schoorl (786-7105).

Background:

The sale of raw milk by licensed milk producers and milk processing plants is legal in Washington for three purposes: further processing, human consumption, or animal feed. All raw milk sold must meet the statutory requirements for Grade A milk, and must meet additional bacterial and animal health testing and labeling requirements.

Under the Department of Agriculture's (Department) Milk Producer license (no annual fee), a farmer may sell raw milk to milk processing plants, food processors, or into the general milk pool for further processing. Under the Department's Milk Processing Plant license ($55 annual fee), a person or company may sell raw milk directly to consumers for human consumption. Under the Department's Animal Feed license ($25 annual fee), a farmer may sell raw milk for animal feed, as long as certain labeling requirements are met.

"Cow shares," "farm shares," or similar agreements are arrangements in which one or more individuals purchase one or more shares in a milk-producing animal in return for a portion of the milk that is produced.

Summary of Bill:

Regulatory agencies charged with protecting the public from sale or distribution of hazardous milk and dairy products require strong enforcement tools.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.