Agenda - 04-17-2012 - 5f - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

16 . McPherson Farm for inclusion in the County's Voluntary Agricultural District program and the first Enhanced VAD. Green seconded the motion. The APB voted unanimously to recommend the McPherson Farm to the Board of County Commissioners for inclusion as the first Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District in the Orange County Voluntary Agricultural District program. b. Potential Topics for Legislative Agenda APB members have discussed a number of different topics over the last several months, including a couple that seemed appropriate for consideration for the BOCC's annual legislative agenda. At the December meeting, David Stancil, the DEAPR Department Director, offered a brief explanation of the legislative agenda process and offered suggestions for the APB to assemble a memo in support of its concerns. Green offered to prepare a draft memo regarding two areas of"missed opportunities'for local farmers: the on-farm sale of raw milk and the production of renewal energy. Green worked with staff to prepare a memo in time for inclusion in the agenda packets. Staff revealed that it appeared that a few of Green's edits did not make it into the memo included in the packets and asked Green to summarize his comments for the APB's consideration. Green reviewed the memo outlining a request for the BOCC to support two bills (HB495/SB473 and SB694) to increase the demand for renewable credits—credits could be used by farmers to supplement their income. The memo also requested that the BOCC support the sale of unpasteurized milk and dairy products for human consumption. Woods expressed concern that the risks associated with unpasteurized milk are still too great to support on-farm sales and recommended that the request for the sale of raw milk be omitted from the memo at this time. Green reported that 35 states currently allow the sale of raw milk and related dairy products and questioned the source of Woods'data. Woods reported that 70% of all milk-borne illness is related to unpasteurized milk, explaining the nature of milk and its potential as a host for bacteria particularly if allowed to get warmer than 40 degrees. Woods also reported that the majority of food-borne illnesses were linked to the 35 states where unpasteurized milk was allowed. Batts asked if there are standards for raw milk, if the 35 states which allow the sale of unpasteurized milk ,have standards. Woods reported that some do, but that even the states with standards have problems with illness. Green noted that farms are currently allowed to sell raw milk for animal consumption. Since there isn't any way to enforce the human consumption of the milk, once off farm, it would be safer to allow human consumption and then regulate the milk and the herd to certain standards through inspections. Staff indicated that if there enough controversy over the sale of raw milk, the BOCC might pull the topic. In that case, the APB may wish to remove the topic from this year's legislative agenda, and spend a year researching the topic, perhaps even preparing a white paper addressing concern, and submit the topic to the BOCC for next year's legislative agenda. McAdams made a motion that the APB forwards the memo with the recommendations for renewable energy opportunities, (only), to the BOCC for inclusion in its 2012 Legislative Agenda. Woods seconded the motion. The APB voted 5-1 in support of the motion. (Ayes: McAdams, Woods, Walters, McGarry, Batts. Nays: Green) Green asked Woods to email him some of her information about the potential problems associated with raw milk. Staff asked Green for information on the state, closest to North Carolina that allows the sale of raw milk? South Carolina. Staff reported that a few years ago, the APB brought in an expert from Duke University to discuss the pros and cons of genetic modification in agriculture. It turned out to be a very good discussion. Perhaps the APB could find another expert or couple of experts who could speak to the pros and cons of unpasteurized dairy products? McAdams suggested maybe the Farm Bureau would have a representative. Woods offered to research and report back. ITEM #7: ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION a. Updates &Information Sharing 1. 2012 Agricultural Summit Members were encouraged to take advantage of the off meeting month and attend the Agricultural Summit if at all possible. Staff noted that the Ag Summit will be held at the"Big Barn"in the Daniel Boone complex in Hillsborough. This is the first time the Ag Summit will be held at this venue. Staff also noted that there January 18, 2012 Draft Meeting Summary 2