Raw milk bill scheduled for a vote by the Texas House of Representatives
The raw milk bill, HB 91, has been scheduled for a vote this Thursday, May 7! This is the first time the Texas House of Representatives will debate the issue of raw milk. This is going to be a tough fight, and we need everyone to speak up. Even if you have called before, please take a minute to make a call now to support expanding legal access to raw milk in Texas!
TAKE ACTION
Call or email your State Representative to urge him or her to vote YES on HB 91
You can find out who your State Representative is by going to www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us or calling the Texas Capitol Switchboard at 512-463-4630.
If you call after hours, you can simply leave a message: “Hi, my name is ____, and I am a constituent. I am calling to urge Representative ______ to vote YES on HB 91, the raw milk bill, when it comes to the floor this Thursday.”
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HB 91, Raw Milk
Download our fact sheet here
HB 91 by Representative Dan Flynn would legalize the sale of raw milk by licensed farmers directly to consumers at farmers markets, and allow farmers and consumers to agree to delivery arrangements.
• Raw milk is already legal in Texas, but the regulations require that consumers drive to the farm every time they want to buy milk. This unfair marketing restriction burdens both farmers and consumers.
• Only 6 illnesses have been reported linked to raw milk in Texas in the last 17 years, out of an estimated ¾ million Texans who drink raw milk
• Texas Grade A Raw for Retail dairies are subject to regulations that meet or exceed all regulatory standards for pasteurized milk.
• HB 91 simply allows licensed farmers to sell raw milk at farmers’ markets and through delivery arrangements. Sales are limited to direct farm-to-consumer and will NOT be allowed in grocery stores.
• HB 91 improves the safety of raw dairy by allowing producers to transport it to consumers under safe conditions, rather than relying on consumers to remember to take coolers and ice.
• By allowing a farmer to make a single trip to serve multiple customers, rather than having each customer drive to the farm, the bill reduces vehicle miles, benefiting air quality, traffic congestion, and public safety.
• HB 91 benefits rural economies because direct farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk can mean the difference between a net loss on the farm and a reasonable income for the farm family.