Arguments of choice versus public safety are heated in a fight about whether to let Louisiana farmers sell raw milk to the public.

The full state House will consider a bill that would allow sales of unpasteurized milk, after it was advanced in a 9-6 vote April 23 by the House Agriculture Committee.

dApproval came despite opposition from Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who said farmers couldn’t guarantee that unpasteurized milk would be safe because it doesn’t go through the heating process designed to kill harmful bacteria. Louisiana’s state health officer, Jimmy Guidry, told lawmakers he wouldn’t allow his family to drink raw milk.

Supporters of raw milk say pasteurization takes away some of milk’s nutritional benefits.

Ciera Majors spoke to the House Agriculture  Committee in favor of the measure that would allow farmers to sell raw milk to consumers.

“The only argument that the opposition has for this bill is ‘death of a child, death of a child,'” said Majors. “Trust me! I want to protect my children. I wanted to give them a healthy product so much so that I bought two cows.”

One raw milk supporter, Audry Salvador, told Marksville Representative Robert Johnson it would be the responsibility of the consumer to make sure they are purchasing from a reputable farmer.

“I can watch everything they do if I want,” said Salvador.

Johnson said, “What about those who don’t?”

“That is their fault.”

“What about the child that dies that has no one to protect him,” Johnson asked.

“Well, before the age of reason they can go to Heaven,” said Salvador.
“That’s your answer?! Mr. Chairman I move that we voluntarily defer this bill,” Johnson said in extreme anger.

Johnson also tells Salvador he has a major problem with farmers being exempt from liability if someone gets sick from raw milk.
The vote was 9-6 and now heads to the House floor.