Innovation Center launches new tools for dairy producers

Legislation on raw milk passed through a Wisconsin state Senate committee by a 3-2 vote this week, setting up debate and a vote in the full state body. The legislation sets requirements for sellers of unpasteurized milk for sampling, inspections and labeling. Democrats expressed concern over the legislation, but they acknowledged the new bill was an improvement over the previous draft, which protected farmers from liability in the case of a bacterial outbreak. A rule with less regulatory oversight was passed in 2009-10 before being vetoed by Gov. Jim Doyle.