Dairy farmer battles bureaucracy over pathogen testing delays

In a recent government meeting, a representative from a local dairy farm shared a troubling experience with the Department of Agriculture and Food regarding a pathogen scare in their milk. The farmer recounted that in early August of the previous year, they were notified of a potential pathogen and promptly cooperated with the department for testing. However, the process quickly became frustrating.

The farmer highlighted a significant issue: after receiving a cease and desist order for their operations, the department lacked the necessary equipment to conduct the required testing for the pathogen. This left the farm in limbo for about a week as officials deliberated on the next steps. Eventually, a sample was taken from the farm's bulk tank and sent to the Washington State Laboratory, which resulted in a ten-day wait for results.

Fortunately, the test returned negative, but further testing was mandated. The farmer noted that their license was not reinstated until late November, after a prolonged period of uncertainty. During this time, they opted to send samples to IEH Laboratories, which provided results in a much shorter timeframe of three to four days, compared to the state’s ten-day turnaround.

The farmer emphasized the importance of balancing public safety with the operational needs of farmers, advocating for improved communication and resources within the department to prevent similar situations in the future.