[MR] Virginia Dairy legislation

[Roy B. Scherer]

Latest info on this -- which it seems WILL affect at least some SCA events:
-- Britton
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From: Libertyisgood at aol.com
Message-ID: <d8.1e52446a.2f270eb2 at aol.com>
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 21:53:38 EST
Subject: In the event you have not seen this legislation, I've copied some 
correspondence
To: jwl3s at virginia.edu
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Hi Nancy:

I'm definitely with you on this one!  Anything that opposes governmental 
licensing and its other limitations on the free market has my support.

I'll pass this on to others who will have an interest too.  Thank you very 
much for passing this on.

Dick


Dear All:

If you enjoy locally made goat cheese and have bought it at farmers' 
markets, you need to act now.  The legislature, Governor Warner and his 
agricultural secretary, Robert Bloxom, are about to make it illegal to buy 
or sell goat cheese unless the farmer has a license for a Grade A Dairy, 
which costs about $50,000.  THE LAW WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JAN. 26TH!  Please 
call the hot line at 800-889-0229 TODAY and say that you are opposed to new 
regulations that cover the storing and handling of milk and the manufacture 
of dairy products.  Ask the legislators to suspend the effective date of 
the regulations so they may review the Agricultural Department's action. 
Other states, such as Pennsylvania, allow small farmers to conduct their 
operations without this type of legislation.

SMALL FARMERS NEED ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET IF THEY ARE TO STAY IN 
BUSINESS AND BE ABLE TO SUPPLY US WITH THEIR DELICIOUS, HEALTHFUL 
FOODS.  This legislation will affect farmers' markets as well as small 
farms and dairies, and is just the beginning of control that will 
ultimately eliminate small farm operations and related small businesses, 
such as farmers' markets, altogether.  Apparently, agribusinesses are 
behind this legislation.

I believe strongly in small farm operations, remembering as I do the joys 
of that childhood life in the Northern Neck.  As farmers struggle to hold 
on, I believe it is important to help them all we can.

Have a good week -- and act now!  Remember, we only have two days to help.

Nancy Carter



end

                 - - Roy B. Scherer
  [8 N. Sheppard Street, Richmond, VA 23221; (804) 355-7612]
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                 "Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God."
                  -- Thomas Jefferson
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