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West Virginia Lawmakers Pass Bill Letting People Drink Raw Milk

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State lawmakers have cleared a bill letting people drink raw milk through animal herd sharing agreements.

The House of Delegates voted 81-19 to approve the measure Tuesday.

Senators narrowly passed the bill last month.

The proposal wouldn’t allow retail sales of raw milk.

Instead, it would require filling out a contract of ownership for milk-producing animals. The person consuming the raw milk would have to sign a form acknowledging health risks.

Doctors would have to tell health officials about any illnesses related to consuming raw milk.

Federal officials have warned of health risks when children, the elderly and pregnant women consume raw milk. Bill opponents worried about people getting sick.

Proponents, many of them delegates who said they grew up on farms, said people should be free to drink it.