Raw Milk Advocates Plan on Bringing Bill Back to Montana Legislature

For the past two sessions, raw milk advocates have been trying to persuade the state legislature to allow unprocessed milk to be sold in Montana.

"What were trying to do is get the government out of the business of telling us what food we can and cant eat," said raw milk advocate Chris Rosenau. "Raw milk has a great health history in the U.S. The CDC says about 10 million people in the United States drink raw milk. There's over 40 states that have raw milk available and Montana is one of only 10 states where its not legal."

Rosenau says she has received some help from Americans for Prosperity in her efforts and that a bill will be back in front of the legislature next session too.

"We're not going to stop," Rosenau said. "We have more and more people. We have a large demand and we have waiting list for people who want raw milk all across Montana. Because of the illegality you're basically made a criminal if you sell or trade or give raw milk away. The Department of Livestock actively pools Craigslist to look for people that are selling it and they send you a cease and desist letter."

According to Rosenau, Representative Nancy Balance will be carrying the new raw milk bill. In past sessions the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Livestock have opposed the measure.