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This is an important issue for consumers, small farmers, and organic advocates. I know that many of you expressed concern about it at the Slow Food table on Farmers' Appreciation Day. We can still do something about it.
Please read the message from Ruth Ann. The Attorney for the RRC suggested that we send the form letters in one envelope. If you would like to participate, please copy the form letter (begins at address for North Carolina Rules Review Commission), sign it with your name and address and date, and send it to me by Sept. 21. I will compile the letters and sent them from our group on Monday, Sept. 24.
I have removed the attachments for our lists but if you would like a copy of the attachments, please email me directly and I will send them to you. To get on Ruth Ann Foster's raw milk action alert email list, please email her directly at RuthAnnFoster@triad.rr.com. She has worked diligently all summer lobbying the N.C. legislature for the rights of consumers and small farmers. Thank you, Ruth Ann.
Laurie O'Neill
613 Joyner St.
Greensboro, NC 27403
More Info Here on Raw Milk
Ruth Ann's Original Message:
STOP THE RULE FOR BLACK DYE IN PET MILK
NORTH CAROLINA RAW MILK ACTION ALERT
From Ruth Ann Foster, Greensboro, NC Chapter Leader and Raw Milk Coordinator
September 14, 2007
BACKGROUND
On Friday September 7, 2007, the Board of the NC Department of Agriculture voted unanimously to adopt a rule that would require the addition of a chemical dye to all raw milk sold as pet milk. The media has reported that this rule will go into effect on November 1, 2007. Without our intervention this could happen.
RULE MAKING PROCESS
1. After a rule is adopted by an agency, it must clear the Rules Review Commission (RRC) BEFORE becoming a permanent rule.
2. The RRC attorneys have thirty days to determine:
a. correct rule making procedure
b. verification that the legislature has granted the agency power to make the rule
c. necessity of the rule
Following their review, the attorneys submit staff opinions to the RRC. RRC attorney Joe Deluca explained that it is not the Commission's responsibility to determine if the rule is good or bad.
3. The Rules Review Commission then votes to accept or reject the rule.
NOTE: If the RRC rejects the rule, the agency (in this case, NCDA) may re-write and re-submit it. The rule will then be voted on again at the next RRC meeting. This may continue until the rule is accepted by the RRC. Deadlines for re-submission are up to 5 pm of the second day before the RRC meeting. Those meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month.
HOW TO DELAY AND/OR BLOCK A RULE
Pursuant to G.S. 150B – 21.3, during the RRC review period, 10 or more letters of objection may be sent to the RRC with the request to delay the rule and subject it to legislative review. Even if the RRC approves the rule, these letters of opposition will force the rule to the legislature during the next legislative session. If a rule has been previously accepted by the RRC and no bill is introduced against the rule within the first thirty days of the legislative session, the rule will become permanent at that time.
Senator Kay Hagan will introduce a BILL TO BLOCK this rule at the beginning of next session, May 2008.
STAY TUNED
If the RRC rejects the rule, the NCDA can re-write and re-submit. We will then have to send 10 more letters objecting to the re-written rule. I will keep you posted on this.
ACTION TO TAKE
RRC attorney Joe Deluca advises that we may submit 10 form letters with 10 different signatures. He suggests that all 10 letters be sent in one envelope to expedite the process. The following is a form letter of which any or all may be used. Please make certain to the rule number and your name and address.
Thanks for your help in keeping our pet milk pure.
Yours Sincerely,
Ruth Ann Foster
EatReal@gmail.com
(336)286-3088
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