A bill approved by the Assembly Committee in Wisconsin has given dairy farmers the leverage to sell raw and unpasteurized milk legally. Farmers will be able to market unpasteurized milk directly to consumers. The bill has been approved despite the propensity for health problems.

This approval has paved the way for a ballot in the full Assembly. There is also a similar bill which is set to be put up to vote before the full Senate. However, if the bill is not put up for vote soon, time will run out since the legislative session ends in May. It is also not clear whether this move is supported by Democratic leaders.

It may be noted that the bill has received opposition from the Wisconsin Medical Society, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association and the Wisconsin Dairy Products Association.

Those in support of the bill concede that raw milk is purer, healthier and tastes better than pasteurized milk, while those against it claim that bacteria can easily pollute it unpasteurized milk making consumers ill.

Though at present the federal government prohibits the sale of allow raw milk, it does permit states to adopt laws permitting its sale as long as it doesn't cross state lines.