Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
03/20/2020 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB130 | |
| SB160 | |
| HB16 | |
| SB194 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 194 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 130 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 16-SHARED ANIMAL AND RAW MILK/PRODUCTS
4:24:07 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE announced that the next order of business would
be SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16, "An Act relating to
shared animal ownership; and relating to the sharing and sale of
raw milk and raw milk products."
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that the sponsor submitted a blank CS that
makes a few changes, but it will not be distributed until the
committee hears the presentation on HB 16.
4:24:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 16, explained that the bill addresses
economic development opportunities and food security issues.
Alaska allows raw milk consumption through herd share programs,
but it is limited to fluid milk products, which eliminates
opportunities for value-added products like cheese, ice cream,
butter, or yogurt. HB 16 would open the opportunity for
individuals participating in the herd share program to receive
such products.
She referred to a document from the National Conference of State
Legislatures that shows a spectrum of raw milk programs ranging
from no raw milk sales to allowing sales at farmers markets.
Alaska is among the most restrictive and only allows herd share
programs, whereas the most permissive states allow raw milk
sales in retail stores. HB 16 seeks just an incremental step out
of safety concerns.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR explained that the herd share program has a
closed-loop system that makes it possible to identify where the
product comes from and who is receiving the milk. She said Suzy
Crosby, owner of Cottonwood Creek Farm, will show how her goat
milk operation is able to pinpoint the milk throughout the
process, including specific goats, to quickly address safety
concerns. She said Ms. Crosby's presentation will help show the
hands-on piece of the legislation.
4:28:05 PM
SUZY CROSBY, Owner, Cottonwood Creek Farm, Wasilla, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 16. She explained that the herd share
program is legal in Alaska but it is restricted to fluid milk.
The benefits of herd share include that goats help pay for their
food, it accommodates consumers who want to eat locally and
those individuals who cannot digest pasteurized milk from cows.
She turned to the slide, Why Goats? and pointed out that goats
are a good size for a homestead animal. Some say they are
somewhere between a pet and livestock; they have good
personalities and are easy to keep.
MS. CROSBY explained that herd share is legal in Alaska for
fluid milk only, and is referred to on the DEC website. Herd
share is sustainable, like a Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) system; the milk is distributed with a scheduled weekly
pick up and there is a commitment formalized in a signed bill of
sale and herd share agreement with each consumer's contact
information. The money that is exchanged is paid as a boarding
fee. It is not for the purchase of the milk.
4:30:12 PM
MS. CROSBY emphasized that herd share is not a grocery store
where someone goes to buy a random quantity of milk. It is
dependent on share owners picking up their milk on the same
schedule that the goats are producing. Currently, herd share is
only for raw milk but HB 16 would open the door for value-added
products such as cheese, while still staying within the safety
net of the closed-loop system.
She explained that Cottonwood Creek Farm manages its milking
safety and sanitation by separating the barn from the milking
location. Goats receive a pre-milking sanitation spray at the
milking parlor. Cottonwood Creek Farm is emphatic about washing
hands between touching animals and food. Filtered milk goes into
sanitized, prechilled jars. Rapid chilling is essential for good
shelf life and good product quality.
4:32:13 PM
MS. CROSBY emphasized that Cottonwood Creek Farm keeps good
records by numbering each milk jar to identify which pair of
goats produced the milk. The farm works on educating the share
owners as part of their herd share agreement on how to take care
of their raw milk.
She said Alaskans have talked about food security for years due
to the possibility of supply line interruption. She pointed out
that the recent pandemic caused people to panic buy and empty
stores of dairy products. However, Cottonwood Creek Farm's herd
share owners received their expected milk, a graphic
illustration of the herd share program during the health crisis.
MS. CROSBY stated that HB 16 would benefit consumers by
providing options besides fluid milk as well as digestible goat
product options for people who have allergies. Consumers love to
buy unique locally made artisan food and HB 16 would allow for
specialty cheeses that are not available in stores. It would
allow feta, queso fresco, and chvre cheeses to be a legal
component of a herd share agreement. Precedence for HB 16 was
already set by states that allow value-added products in
Wyoming, Tennessee, South Dakota, Missouri, and Maine.
4:35:35 PM
MS. CROSBY noted that raw milk producers would benefit from
value-added products. For example, each gallon of milk buys an
extra bale of hay. Producers could use seasonal surplus milk to
have specialty products available during low milk production
periods. The safety net of two-way communication between
producer and consumer would remain unchanged. HB 16 would enable
product sales at markets, but with the herd share agreement.
CHAIR MICCICHE said HB 16 is important and noted his
appreciation that Representative Tarr brought the bill forward.
SENATOR KIEHL noted that elements in the presentation talked
about the digestibility of goat milk and that people who are
immune are particularly susceptible to food borne illnesses. He
asked if value-added products, like cheeses, have a higher risk
of dairy related pathogens because the milk is not pasteurized.
4:38:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR answered that Ms. Crosby's presentation
addressed the importance of proper milk handling and
refrigeration. As long as those safety procedures are followed,
the value-added products should not be any higher risk than the
raw milk. She said it is important to understand that
pasteurization came about during the pre-refrigeration era when
consumers became more urban and lived further from farms.
SENATOR KIEHL stated that he does not oppose the bill, but the
cheesemaking process occurs at moderate temperatures with
additional steps. He asked what the comparative risks are with
the additional time and handling for cheesemaking.
4:40:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TARR answered that based on other states'
policies do not indicate that value-added products present a
higher risk. There has not been any increase in illness or
anything that would lead someone to believe that value-added
products are higher risk.
CHAIR MICCICHE advised that the committee will have the Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) present to answer
questions at the next hearing.
MS. CROSBY explained that raw milk pasteurization was a result
of unsanitary conditions that were commonplace 100 years ago.
She said any raw milk dairy would need to be extremely vigilant
with regards to sanitation during the cheesemaking process.
4:42:55 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if the herd share agreement requires a
person to sign a waiver, if farms provide information to educate
the public, and if these things are required by regulation.
MS. CROSBY explained that part of the DEC herd share document
requires a person to establish a legal contract to clarify
ownership of the animal. The document includes a two-part
signature page for the bill of sale and herd share agreement.
The document also contains information on proper milk handling.
An individual initials that they have read and agree to the
terms of the agreement. One line states that an individual has
done their own research regarding raw milk safety and are
willingly choosing to drink it.
4:44:30 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if the herd share agreement is a
requirement within State law or regulation.
MS. CROSBY answered that the agreement is a regulatory
requirement. She said the DEC regulation requires an individual
to establish a legal contract to clarify animal ownership prior
to removing milk from a premise for personal consumption.
SENATOR KAWASAKI remarked that people sort of know what they are
getting into with the information provided before they buy.
MS. CROSBY replied correct. She said Cottonwood Creek Farm does
not crusade for the benefits of raw milk. The farm's clientele
are people who have done their own homework and arrived at their
own conclusion.
CHAIR MICCICHE asked if she would be willing to share the farm's
agreement information with the committee.
MS. CROSBY answered yes.
CHAIR MICCICHE said the sanitation and safety inquiries are
important for DEC to respond to as well.
He remarked that HB 16 is the first bill that he has heard that
fits with the COVID-19 situation and the food security issue
that Alaska faces. He noted that the state used to grow 50
percent of its food 60 years ago, but only 4 percent today.
Alaska faces exposure if Canada shuts commerce down or other
issues occur. Alaska needs to do more for food security and
taking advantage of employment opportunities, he said.
4:47:50 PM
MS. CROSBY thanked the committee for supporting local Alaskan
agriculture.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR summarized that agriculture is the good news
story coming out of Alaska. The agricultural industry in Alaska
has shown more growth than other states, provides an economic
opportunity, and addresses food security.
CHAIR MICCICHE noted that the committee will bring up the CS at
the next hearing for HB 16.
4:48:53 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE opened public testimony and said public testimony
remains open for the next committee meeting.
4:49:09 PM
CHAIR MICCICHE held HB 16 in committee.