Ohio has become Ground Zero for the Raw Milk debate. It is, to put it mildly, a passionate debate, with folks on either side clinging valiantly to their beliefs. We’ve been tracking a bill in the Ohio legislature that would change our state’s position on Raw Milk from one of prohibiting sales of Raw Milk to one where the trade of Raw Milk is perfectly legal in a given set of regulatory circumstances.

We spoke after last week’s House Ag Committee hearing on the bill with one proponent, Warren Byle of Citizens Against Milk Prohibition, as well as one supporter of the current regulatory situation, Tim Demland of Ohio Dairy Producers. The two gentleman are well spoken, and presented cogent arguments for their positions. I’ll keep you updated as to the bill’s progress – it is currently stalled in the committee, with more hearings to follow.

Listen to Tim Demland, Director of Producer Services for the Ohio Dairy Producers, defend the current regulations against selling raw milk: Tim Demland Interview (5:59 mp3)

Listen to Warren Byle, Director of Citizens Against Milk Prohibition, defend the nutritive values of raw milk, and the rights of producers to sell it to consumers: Warren Byle Interview (8:15 mp3)