FW: ACTION ALERT: VIRGINIA TO OUTLAW SMALL FARM CHEESE PRODUCERS

[Guest guest]

FYI for VA residents.

Suze

Comments on 2VAC5-531 Regulations Governing Milk for Manufacturing

Purposes and 2VAC5-501 Regulations Governing the Cooling, Storing, Sampling

and Transportation of Milk

I urge you to suspend the effective date of January 26, 2005 of the

Department of Agriculture regulations 2VAC5-531 and 2VAC5-501 regarding milk

and the production of cow and goat cheese by small farmers until after the

next legislative session so that the legislators can review the Department's

actions. These regulations are completely onerous to small farmers in

Virginia and will effectively close down the sale of locally produced cow

and goal milk cheese. Small farmers already face tough economic times. Why

further limit their economic viability?

According to these regulations, after January 26, 2005, it will be illegal

for a Virginia farmer to sell even one pound of their own farm-produced

cheese and butter to a next door neighbor or direct consumer unless that

farmer has a license. To obtain and hold a license a farmer must (to name a

few):

Comply with building and equipment requirements totaling approximately

$50,000;

Purchase an approved and costly pasteurizer and pasteurize all milk for

making fresh cheese;

Do business on a daily basis;

Keep extensive and burdensome records on each batch of cheese made.

These regulations will effectively put these small farmers out of business

and cut off the supply of nutritious cheeses to consumers such as myself. I

deeply resent this action limiting my choices of healthy foods and limiting

the economic viability of small farmers.

Thank you for taking this very necessary action to save small farmers in

this state and preserve the freedom of choice of the consumer.

Sincerely yours,

[your name and address]

IMPORTANT!

In addition to stopping the regulations through letters, e-mails and phone

calls now, action is planned for the 2005 General Assembly session with

respect to exempting farmers selling their own farm-raised/produced products

direct to the final consumer.

Members of the Virginia Independent Consumers and Farmers Association and

the Virginia State Dairy Goat Association are spearheading this effort.

Please contact Debbie Stockton at vicfavoice@... to be placed on

their Action e-mail alert list, if you desire. For phone call lobbying alert

or more information contact Solem or Coles at (434) 973-6505.

***********************************************

Bill Sanda

Director of Public Affairs

Westonaprice_bill@...

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