The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved a proposal Thursday that would make it clear that anyone owning a cow, goat, or sheep, or sharing ownership of those animals could legally drink or consume its raw milk. Selling raw milk would still be illegal, but dairies could keep seven cows or 15 goats or sheep in an animal sharing agreement. Farms or dairies with more than three cows or seven goats or sheep would need to submit their raw milk to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to test for bacteria and somatic cells, which can indicate infections in mammary glands.

I would hope to see the regulation and inspection portions of the bill strengthened as the process goes along.