Wichita Food Co-op local growers of organic produce and livestock

By Chris Green - Harris News Service
March 18, 2009

Rep. Powell, in favor of the bill, doesn't think opposition will be much of an obstacle

TOPEKA - A bill that would limit the claims that could be made on milk labels is likely to be debated today on the floor of the Kansas House.

Under House Bill 2295, producers couldn't label dairy products being sold in Kansas as being free of artificial bovine growth hormone, also known as rbST or rBGH.

Labels could say the product comes from cows that haven't received injections of the artificial bovine growth hormone, which stimulates milk production.

However, such products would also be forced to include disclaimers saying that the federal government has found no significant differences between milk from cows injected with rbST and milk from those that have not received the hormone.

The bill's limitations would not apply to agricultural products certified as organic agricultural products by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under its National Organic Program.

Supporters of the proposal, including the Kansas Dairy Association, said the changes are needed to keep consumers from being misled about what's a safe product.

Opponents counter that consumers are demanding milk from cows that don't receive rbST injections and the change would limit their choices. Some critics also contend that the state could hurt small producers by making them comply with the limits, hamper interstate commerce and open itself to lawsuits.

The bill cleared the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee last week. The panel's chairman, Rep. Larry Powell, R-Garden City, said he felt good about the bill's chances of passing his chamber.

Opponents of the limits flooded the state Department of Agriculture with e-mails when the proposed labeling restrictions came before that agency last year. Agriculture officials ultimately decided to leave the decision up to the Legislature.

Powell said he thought most of the opposition was coming from a vocal minority and their comments wouldn't hold much sway with lawmakers.

"I don't think they're going to be affected," Powell said.

Kansas Farmers Union President Donn Teske, who opposes the bill, said he thinks that the pursuit of the restrictions is one of the most "bizarre" efforts he's seen in the statehouse.

He said dairy producers who say their products don't make use of artificial bovine growth hormone are making a truthful claim on their labels.

Teske also said statistics from the USDA in 2007 show that fewer than 20 percent of dairies are injecting their cows with rbST and that the market for supplemented dairy products is decreasing.

While he doesn't know whether the bill will pass, he said he's hopeful it won't advance far this session.

"It's going to be interesting," Teske said.

Should the bill pass the House, it would still have to clear the Senate before it could be sent to the governor's desk for a signature.

home I about I join I contact us I resources I members only