A judge is moving to the appellate level a case brought against a
Wisconsin man by government officials demanding he provide names of
friends who may buy or sell raw milk.
The threat against raw milk activist Max Kane had been the
possibility of being ruled in contempt of court for his refusal to
provide the information to authorities, according to a report from an
advocacy organization.
The dispute over the sale of raw milk by farmers directly to
consumers has erupted in several locations in recent months in the
United States and Canada. Proponents argue raw milk is healthier, and
since it usually is a direct producer-to-consumer transaction the
government has no interest in those deals.
Governments argue they do.
Now, according to a report from the Weston A Price Foundation,
which advocates for raw-milk farmers and consumers, Judge Michael
Rosenborough denied a motion by the state of Wisconsin to compel Kane to
reveal the names of farmers and consumers he believes could be
producing or purchasing raw milk.
The report said Kane has lived since December
under a court order to deliver the names to the state's Department of Agriculture,
Trade and Consumer Protection. A month ago, Kane, helped by attorney
Elizabeth Rich, requested a stay of the order in the Vernon County Court
in Viroqua, Wis., to take the case to appeal.
