San Diego Urban Agriculture Update by Jill Richarson; Good article on Grist

Date:   10/29/2011 2:33:48 PM ( 13 y ago)

http://www.grist.org/urban-agriculture/2011-10-29-san-diego-residents-push-fo...

Once the city heard opposition from the county Health Department over raw milk fears, goats were briefly pushed off the short-list of priorities. Goats are now back in the proposed law changes, but whether they make it all the way to the mayor's desk remains to be seen. This resistance to goats is unfortunate for a few reasons. The San Diego draft ordinance is based on a similar law in Seattle and, so far, Seattle has had no foodborne illness as a result of milk from backyard goats, raw or otherwise. Additionally, it is unprecedented to ban ownership of dairy animals for the sole reason of limiting raw milk consumption. In fact, even in parts of the United States where selling raw milk is illegal, farmers and their families may still consume it themselves. Last, consumers are trusted to buy raw meat -- even when we know a high percent of it is contaminated -- on the assumption that they will cook it thoroughly at home. A family with two Nigerian dwarf goats -- the only dairy breed the draft ordinance allows -- would produce just enough milk for the family, but not enough to sell.

San Diegans are getting excited as the urban agriculture ordinance works its way through the city's long and winding government system; a recent meeting drew 150 attendees out in support of the proposed changes. Adam Hiner says he is definitely getting more chickens, and his sister, Rachel, has put her name on a waiting list to buy miniature goats. And there's a rumor going around that one city council members might even get some chickens.

12:37 pm
October 29, 2011

 

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