Farm Bureau opposed the legalization of raw milk sales last year. They have
been silent this year and have stayed out of the "safe milk coalition"
because they don't want to lose rural customers. There are rumors
circulating that FB has an alternative proposal to clarify the "incidental
sales" exemption in WI Stats. 97.24, which unfortunately will do next to
nothing to help our many small organic dairy farmers.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lyon, Jeff - DATCP <Jeff.L
...@wisconsin.gov>
Date: Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 4:07 PM
Subject: RE: Open Records Request
To: Bill <wicheesema
...@gmail.com>
Cc: "Brancel, Ben - DATCP" <Ben.Bran...@wisconsin.gov>, "Buroker, Susan J -
DATCP" <Susan.Buro...@wisconsin.gov>, "Fay, Dennis - DATCP" <
Dennis....@wisconsin.gov>
Mr. Anderson:
Attached is our initial response to your open records request. Please let
me know how you want us to proceed.
Jeff Lyon
Jeff Lyon
Deputy Secretary
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
2811 Agriculture Drive
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911
608.224.5035 (office)
608.575.1035 (cell)
*From:* certainkindoff...@gmail.com [mailto:certainkindoff...@gmail.com] *On
Behalf Of *Bill
*Sent:* Friday, May 20, 2011 4:43 PM
*To:* Lyon, Jeff - DATCP
*Subject:* Open Records Request
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Lyon
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
5-20-2011
Dear Mr. Lyons,
This letter is to request the following records, under the state's Open
Records Law (19.31-39, Wisconsin Statutes):
-The complete final copy of the DATCP Raw Milk Working Group report, as it
was delivered to your office from the group moderator Elizabeth Kohl
-Any modifications made to the report since it was delivered to your office
-Any communications to/from your office, pertaining to this report since the
begining of 2011
-Any other communications to/from your office regarding raw milk, since the
begining of 2011
Please be aware that the Open Records law defines “record” to include
information that is maintained on paper as well as electronically, such as
data files and unprinted emails. Wis. Stat. § 19.32(2).
Please also be aware that the Open Records law “shall be construed in every
instance with the presumption of complete public access consistent with the
conduct of governmental business. The denial of access generally is contrary
to the public interest and only in exceptional cases can access be denied.”
If you deny my request, the law requires you to do so in writing and state
what part of the law you believe entitles you to deny my request. Wis. Stat.
§ 19.35(4)(a).
The Open Records law states that you may charge for "the actual, necessary
and direct cost" of locating records, if this exceeds $50, and for
photocopies. The Wisconsin Department of Justice advises that copying fees
under the Open Records law should be “around 15 cents per page and that
anything in excess of 25 cents may be suspect.” Please advise me before
processing this request if the total cost will exceed $50.
As you know, the law requires you to respond to this request “as soon as
practicable and without delay.”
If you are not the records custodian for this information, please forward
this request to the appropriate person. Also, please let me know if I can
clarify or refine this request.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Bill Anderson, Director, Wisconsin Resident
contact: 262-352-3300
Mark McAfee, Director
Raw Milk Institute ( Non-Profit CA 501c3 )
7225 So. Jameson
Fresno CA 93706
559-846-9732
