Idaho officials report steady demand for raw milk program, outline registration and testing rules

Dr. Scott Lively, administrator of the Division of Animal Industries and Idaho’s state veterinarian, updated the House Agriculture Affairs Committee on the state’s raw milk program and participation.

Lively said Idaho has one of the highest participation rates in the country: "Idaho's raw milk program started a little over a decade ago ... we have 82 raw milk cattle dairies. We have 79 raw milk goat dairies, and we have 1 raw sheep dairy in the state." He told the committee customers remain loyal and demand has not declined.

Why it matters: Raw milk sales are a longstanding, regulated choice in Idaho. Officials said federal law bars interstate trade in raw milk and that state rules require producer registration and periodic testing for tuberculosis and brucellosis in animals used for raw milk.

Program details

- Participation and scope: The department reported 162 raw milk dairies across species (cattle, goats, sheep) and said participation has been high for more than a decade.

- Registration and testing: Lively said producers must register with the Department of Agriculture and that animals used in raw milk production are tested for tuberculosis and brucellosis as required by state regulation.

- Interstate sales: Federal law prevents raw milk from being sold across state lines; Idaho producers may sell to in-state customers or to consumers who travel into Idaho to purchase raw milk.

- Regulatory approach: Lively described Idaho’s approach as relatively light-handed while maintaining public-health checks: "Raw milk's a choice. And we want that opportunity to be made available to consumers throughout the state of Idaho."

Ending

Committee members asked no follow-up questions about raw milk after the update. Officials said the department will continue registration and testing and did not propose changes at this meeting.