UPDATED Wednesday, March 17, 2010 --- 4:30 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Limited raw milk sales would be allowed in Wisconsin through 2011 under a bill that has advanced out of a Senate committee.

The Senate Agriculture and Higher Education Committee voted Wednesday to advance the bill that allows for the sales directly from a dairy farmer to the customer.

Sellers must meet a series of requirements, including obtaining a special permit, consenting to regular testing and clearly labeling the milk as being unpasteurized.

The same lawmakers who are sponsoring the raw milk bill on Tuesday asked for a Legislative Council study on the issues related to raw milk sales in the hopes of reaching consensus on how to proceed.

All the action comes following a 10-hour public hearing in the issue last week in Eau Claire.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Monday, March 8, 2010 --- 8:15 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Selling raw milk in Wisconsin would be legalized under a bill up for a hearing Wednesday in Eau Claire.

The measure would allow dairy farmers to sell raw milk directly to customers if certain conditions are met. The farmer would have to have a state-issued permit and post a warning that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization.

Raw dairy proponents say unpasteurized milk is tastier, healthier and easier to digest.

Federal and state health officials say uncooked animal products are inherently dangerous and can carry bacteria capable of causing illness and death.

Wisconsin law has required since 1957 that milk sold to consumers be pasteurized.

The bill was sponsored by state Rep. Chris Danou, D-Trempealeau.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Wednesday, January 13, 2010 --- 8:10 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A state-appointed committee will soon consider whether raw milk should be sold in Wisconsin, and if so, under what conditions.

Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, says the group will consider the legal and regulatory affects and what conditions would be required to protect public health.

Wisconsin law has required since 1957 that milk sold to consumers be pasteurized.

The group's chair will be Richard Barrows, a retired Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The group also includes dairy farmers, cheese makers, consumers and food safety professionals.

The Legislature will be advised of the committee's recommendation. The group is expected to start meeting next month.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted Saturday, November 7, 2009 -- 1:30pm
By Zac Schultz

Madison: A local dairy farmer says the state is putting him out of business, so he's dumping his milk at the Capitol.

"My name is Scott Trautman and I'm a proud dairyman from the State of Wisconsin." Scott Trautman made a life change in 2003 when he decided to get into farming. Six years later he's says the state is trying to put him out of business. "I've been shut down."

Trautman says he's been milking organic jerseys for two years. He says the major milk producers won't pick up his product anymore, because they fear he's selling raw milk on the side, which is illegal.

He's had to dump his milk since October 16th, so Saturday he decided to dump it at the Capitol. "Less than an hour ago I was milking my beautiful cows at my farm, my healthy cows. There's nothing wrong with my milk. Nothing. Here's what happens when you take on food safety. You're ending up like this," says Scott as he dumped his milk. "My milk. Gone."

Trautman wants the legislature to legalize the sale of raw milk. Lawmakers at the Capitol aren't totally unsympathetic towards Scott's situation. But they say they're still concerned about safety. "I have farmer friends of mine that drink milk right off the farm that's unpasteurized, and there's no problem for them," says Rep. Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie). "But when you sell to the public there's a reason why milk is pasteurized, and that's for safety."

But Trautman says safety isn't an issue. It's legal for the farmer to drink, he just can't sell it. "Legal," says Scott, holding a glass of milk to his chest, "Illegal," he says while extending the glass towards a stranger. "Milk didn't change. What changed? Profit for the farmer. That's good organic jersey milk."

Scott Trautman says if it was legal he could sell organic raw milk for about $6 a gallon. He says it's a niche market that small dairy farmers like him could use to survive.