IDFA and the National Milk Producers Federation sent a joint letter this week to officials of Clark County, Nevada, urging them to oppose legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk and raw milk products to consumers in the county. In response, the Clark County Commissioner’s office said the proposed bill would be tabled until after the conclusion of the 2015 Nevada legislative session.

The sale of raw milk direct to consumers is legal in some parts of Nevada, but not throughout the state. Each county has jurisdiction and must establish a milk commission for oversight before the sales can become legal. Officials in Clark Country, where Las Vegas is located, had planned to introduce an ordinance on Tuesday that would establish a milk commission, set requirements and terms for members, and define the “powers and duties of the Commission governing the production, distribution and sale of raw milk within Clark Country.”

In the joint letter, IDFA and NMPF outlined the dangers of unpasteurized milk and emphasized that every major health organization in the United States, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, opposes raw milk consumption.  

“Legalizing the country-wide sale of raw milk is a gamble with public health and represents an unnecessary risk to consumer safety. Therefore we strongly urge you to oppose Ordinance 1-5-15-1,” the letter concluded.

Two weeks ago, IDFA and NMPF sent a letter to leaders of the West Virginia State Senate, urging them to oppose efforts to ease the sale of raw milk to consumers. Members may login to view a complete list of pending raw milk legislation in individual states here. 

For more information, contact Ruth Saunders, IDFA vice president of policy and legislative affairs, at rsaunders@idfa.org.