Dairy Farmer Sues British Columbia over Raw Milk Distribution Ban

A British Columbia resident who operates a “cowshare” that produces and
distributes raw milk to members has filed a lawsuit against the provincial
government challenging a regulation that prohibits the sale of milk that has
not been pasteurized. Jongerden d/b/a Home on the Range v. The Queen, No.
S-111196 (Sup. Ct., British Columbia, filed February 23, 2011). According to
the complaint, the plaintiff has been cited for packaging and distributing raw
milk for human consumption and was further cited for contempt when she
continued to sell the milk after labeling it as “not for human consumption.”
The plaintiff contends that raw milk has beneficial health effects and that the
ultra vires regulation has prevented her from obtaining and consuming raw
milk from a lawful source.