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Bill to Drink Raw Milk Gains Ground
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – After a veto last year, the push to let West Virginians drink raw milk through animal-sharing agreements is regaining steam.
On Friday, the state Senate voted 22-12 on the raw milk bill, sending the proposal to the House of Delegates.
The bill would let people strike agreements to share milk-producing animals and drink raw milk. It would maintain a ban on selling or distributing raw milk.
People would also have to sign a document acknowledging the health risks. Animals would need to have passed health tests within the last year.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed a similar bill last year.
Tomblin said it would pose a serious risk to public health, since raw milk can contain particularly dangerous bacteria for children, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.