“Governor Doyle followed the wise counsel of both public health officials and the vast majority of Wisconsin’s $26.5 billion dairy industry when he decided to veto the legislation that would permit the on-farm sale of unpasteurized milk,” said Bill Oemichen, Cooperative Network president and CEO. “Cooperative Network has consistently stated our concern about the dangerous potential impact on public health and the image of the dairy industry in America’s Dairyland that could result from this legislation, and we thank Governor Doyle for his thoughtful decision.”

According to the American Public Health Association, states that permit the sale of unpasteurized dairy products have nearly three times the risk of having unpasteurized product-related outbreaks and nearly twice the risk of having outbreak-associated illnesses. Ninety percent of Wisconsin’s milk is made into cheese and 90 percent of that cheese is sold out of state, so consumer trust in the Wisconsin “brand” is essential for the Wisconsin dairy industry to prosper.

“If the Legislature attempts to override the veto, we strongly encourage all legislators to vote to sustain this veto,” said Oemichen.