The House late Saturday approved legislation that would allow people who share the ownership of farm animals
to take home a share of milk produced by them. The bill heads to the governor. Here’s the summary for folks who leave their shoes on the back porch when they come inside:
“SUMMARY:
This bill exempts transferring or exchanging raw milk between people who are part of a shared animal ownership agreement from the general ban on selling, offering for barter, exchange, or sale, or distributing raw milk from an unregistered dairy farm.
A “shared animal ownership agreement” is a contract in which a person:
1. acquires an interest in a milk-producing animal;
2. agrees to pay, reimburse, or accept financial responsibility for the animal’s care and board; and
3. receives a share of the raw milk the animal produces.
Current law generally requires anyone producing or manufacturing retail raw milk or raw milk cheese for use or disposal off-premises to be registered with the agriculture department (CGS § 22-173a). Producing raw milk or raw milk products and manufacturing cheese for personal consumption or consumption by immediate family members is exempt.”