A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Rep. Ballance testifying
Montana’s raw milk advocates do not trust government. Led by Rep. Nancy Ballance (R-Hamilton), sponsor of HB-245, which would legalize the sale of raw milk in Montana, these advocates testified at today’s hearing before the House Human Services Committee that pasteurization kills vital nutrients, that foods more dangerous are sold legally, and that Montana’s prohibition on the sale of raw milk violates their right to choose the foods they eat.
Veterinarians unanimously opposed HB-245, warning that only pasteurization can make milk safe to drink.
Linda Stoll represented the sanitarians, who oppose HB-245. Raw milk advocates sitting behind her as she testified snickered and giggled so loudly and disrespectfully that committee chair Art Wittich had to gavel them into silence. They were silenced, but I doubt they were chastened. They’re true believers, convinced that they, and they alone, have The Truth, and therefore have a blessing from on high to prosecute their case as they deem necessary.
Stoll said legislators are receiving thousands of emails supporting HB-245. That’s not surprising. Nor would it be surprising that they’re receiving only a handful of messages opposing HB-245. That’s because pasteurization is a proven public health success, based on long settled science, and most people expect legislators to support and defend established public health policy and law without having to be urged to do so.