Press Releases
Representative Massie Introduces Bill to Allow Interstate Traffic of Raw Milk
Washington, D.C.-,
May 14, 2024
Tags:
Farming
For Immediate Release "Executive branch agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), do not and should not have the power to shut down trade between peaceful farmers and willing consumers," said Rep. Massie. "It is Congress's job to legislate. The Interstate Milk Freedom Act would make it easier for families to buy the milk of their choice by reversing the criminalization of specific dairy farmers." If two states have legalized the sale of unpasteurized milk, the Interstate Milk Freedom Act prevents federal departments, agencies, or courts from taking any action to prohibit or restrict the traffic of milk between those two states. Although Congress has never passed a ban on raw milk, the FDA issued a regulation banning the interstate sale of raw milk in capitulation to a lawsuit decided in 1986. This legislation was introduced as an amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill. It was also introduced as a standalone bill in 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2021. Original cosponsors of H.R. 8374 include Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), and Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA). The text of the Interstate Milk Freedom Act is available at this link.
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