PETE KENNEDY is an attorney in Sarasota, Florida and serves as the president of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund and vice president of the Farm-to-Consumer Foundation. Pete has worked on raw dairy issues in various States as well as other food distribution aspects including extensive reviews of legislation, particularly food safety and raw milk bills.

 

On April 14, Governor Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1433 (HB 1433), referred to as the North Dakota Food Freedom Act, into law.

On April 7, the North Dakota House of Representatives concurred in amendments the Senate made to HB 1433, clearing the way for the governor’s signature. Like the version that initially passed the House, the bill allows the direct sale to consumers by producers of all foods without licensing and inspection except meat, meat products, and raw dairy products. According to USDA, federal law prohibits the unregulated sale of meat and meat products. Under the Food Freedom Act, producers can sell up to 1,000 poultry annually of their own raising without state regulation.

As for raw dairy products, they can already be distributed legally through herd share agreements without state regulation. A provision in the original bill allowing for the sale of raw milk and raw milk products was removed by the House committee that initially heard HB 1433 in February.