Oklahoma Senate Bill SB764

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21

Caption

Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act; raw milk sales. Emergency

Impact

This legislation aims to enhance consumer choice by facilitating the purchase of raw milk directly from producers, thereby bypassing some of the existing regulatory hurdles. It could lead to increased sales for small farmers who produce raw milk, possibly benefiting local economies. However, the requirement for sales records to be maintained and subject to state inspection reflects an effort to balance these new freedoms with public health considerations, ensuring that safety standards are still upheld in dairy farming.

Summary

Senate Bill 764 proposes amendments to the Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, specifically allowing the direct sale of raw graded and ungraded milk by permit holders and even unpermitted sales by individual farmers. The bill permits sellers to advertise their raw milk directly to consumers from their farms, a step intended to support local agriculture and consumer access to fresh milk products. The direct sales are to be labeled appropriately, notifying consumers about the grade of milk, if applicable, or indicating that the milk is ungraded and unpermitted.

Contention

While proponents of SB764 argue that it fosters local agriculture and promotes consumer rights, there are concerns about public health risks associated with the consumption of raw milk. Critics may feel that reducing regulatory oversight could lead to increased health hazards, particularly if consumers are not adequately informed about the risks. The emergency declaration included in the bill indicates a sense of urgency from its proponents, likely in response to rising demand or existing barriers faced by small dairy producers.