Raw Milk Debate Goes Before MO Milk Board

When the Missouri Milk Board met today in Jefferson City it heard from lots of farmers and other proponents of raw milk. Conway farmer Armand Bechard was one of them. He says more than 60 people who are not a part of the milk board attended the meeting. Bechard made some comments to the board which is now chaired by Karen Prescott of the Springfield Greene County Health Department. The Bechards are charged in Springfield with selling raw milk to undercover health inspectors. "We hoped to demonstrate a show of force and let them know the raw milk people are serious about this and they're not going to be able to shut this down," Bechard said. "As part of my case we're hoping to prove that a city cannot prohibit raw milk sales when state law allows it." Bechard says each person was given 5 minutes to speak. "We're going to try to make this an ongoing thing," he said. "Whether we speak or not, raw milk advocates will attend the milk board meeting." A representative from the Attorney General's office also attended the meeting. Bechard says that's because the state is also suing him. Bechard said the milk board suggested starting a subcommittee to look into raw milk issue. Bechard asked the one member of raw milk crowd be on subcommittee.. Bechard's lawyers filed papers last week with the state that included several motions for dismissal. "We have high hopes," he said. "Our lawyers have done a bang up job".