Panel Discussion on Raw Milk

Event:

On 17 June 2015 we had our Raw Milk Panel Discussion event to learn why people are so passionate about Raw Milk with four panelists:

Dr. Kristian Ronacher - ex CSIRO microbiologist / health consultant
Joost Bakker - ARMM ambassador, eco warrior and chef
Simon Schulz - raw milk producer
Amanda Goldie - raw foodie

Raw Milk was discussed at length as Dr. Kristian Ronacher gave the audience many insights into the world of Raw Milk biology. Simon Schulz gave the audience a glimpse into the work of the Australian Raw Milk Producers Co-Op in setting standards for Raw Milk production that is in line with global best practise. Amanda Goldie shared insights into her raw food diet and Joost Bakker shared interesting stories from personal experience and good common sense around raw milk.

Watch the full video playlist here. We also have a playlist on YouTube with various expert opinions from people in the Raw Milk industry.

Below you will find four short clips with the most essential information:

The ARMM Panel Discussion video gallery:

panel discussion raw milk microbiologist australia

Raw Milk Panel Discussion highlights

Panel Discussion Clip 1

Panel Discussion Clip 2 - Safety of Raw Milk

Panel Discussion Clip 3 - Australian Raw Milk Producers Co-Op

Panel Discussion Clip 5 - Raw Milk common sense

Panel Discussion Clip 4 - soured Raw Milk & pasteurisation

Campaign Update 1 - the campaign for raw milk

Campaign Update 4 - freedom of information

Campaign Update 5 - conclusion

Panel Discussion Clip 2 - Safety of Raw Milk

Panel Discussion Clip 3 - Australian Raw Milk Producers Co-Op

Panel Discussion Clip 5 - Raw Milk common sense

Panel Discussion Clip 4 - soured Raw Milk & pasteurisation

Campaign Update 1 - the campaign for raw milk

Campaign Update 4 - freedom of information

Photos from our Raw Milk Panel Discussion night (click on images to view and enlarge):

Freedom of Information Request (FOI) to the Department of Health and Human Services regarding raw milk safety:

According to this Facebook post from 17 June 2015, nutritionist and ARMM volunteer Arabella Forged asked: #rawmilksafety or #rawmilk coverup?

"Earlier this year I made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Department of Health and Human Services regarding raw milk safety. As a nutritionist, food writer and daughter-in-law of dairy farmers I felt compelled to investigate the cases where children had reportedly become ill 'after' drinking raw milk in Victoria.

The Department has disclosed that it has 373 documents on this particular issue. But how many are they willing to share with me and with the public? Guess?! Only 3.

(See below image of part of the Department's response!)

What is this saying about the transparency of our food system? We are ‘told’ that certain foods are dangerous for us, but as yet, authorities can provide little evidence of the fact. From my research on the issue, raw milk can indeed be produced safely and effectively for human consumption. This has been shown in most countries throughout the world, EXCLUDING Australia.

In places such as California, fresh milk products are sold at supermarkets, farmers markets, and even the farm gate (see my pic of raw milk products sold in a large-scale supermarket chain in California below, next to me Mark McAfee from Organic Pastures Dairy Company). These products are safely produced under a regulated system. A recent CDC survey shows that nearly 10 million people in the US currently consume raw milk products.

The reason that I am posting this now, is that there are a handful of dairy farmers currently fighting for their rights to sell fresh milk products under herd-share agreements. They are working with local food authorities to create better systems, however they are constantly facing road blocks.

I have seen first-hand how hard these farmers work, the incredible quality of their products and also how quickly small scale sustainably-run farms are fading within our large scale industry.

When the largest raw milk organic dairy farmer from the US (Mark McAfee pictured below) visited Australia 6 years ago he described the milk produced in Victoria as 'liquid gold... An incredible product, with infinite potential.'

These farmers need our support, and they need transparency within our food system."

In the video titled Campaign Update - Freedom of Information in the video gallery above, Lorraine says that in response volunteers were told:

“It was not in the public’s interest to give us this information... and yet it was in the public’s interest that they took our raw milk away. So this is hypocrisy in the extreme, and I think looks very much like the beginnings of a coverup.”