(NPN) -- Two organizations representing the nation's dairy farmers and dairy companies urge state lawmakers in South Dakota to reject efforts easing regulations surrounding raw milk sales directly to consumers.

In a letter sent Wednesday to South Dakota state senators, the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Milk Producers Federation said the risks in raw dairy products are not worth any benefits to either consumers or producers of unpasteurized milk products.

The two associations urged lawmakers to reject Senate Bill No. 126, legislation designed to further ease the sale of unpasteurized milk in South Dakota. The measure is the subject of a hearing in Pierre, S.D. today (Friday).

The groups note that federal law prohibits the interstate sale of raw milk but allows states individual discretion to regulate raw milk sales within their borders.

The two dairy groups mentioned in the letter, "the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that nearly 75 percent of raw milk-associated outbreaks have occurred in states where sale of raw milk was legal.”

The International Dairy Foods Association represents dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers. The National Milk Producers Federation develops policies concerning dairy producers and their cooperatives.

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