Dairy Cow (photo by Emily Roesly, courtesy of morguefile.com)

Despite strong opposition from the public and farmers alike, the Kansas State Legislature has passed a bill limiting a farmer’s right to tell customers that the farm’s milk is free of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH).

Here’s what our friends at the Organic Valley farmers cooperative have to say about it:

Kansas House Bill 2121 specifies that dairy products promoted as being produced by cows that don't receive injections of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) include a potentially misleading disclaimer stating there are no significant differences between milk from cows that are injected with rBGH and cows that are rBGH-free. The "no differences" statement is based on an 18-year-old FDA review of rBGH; however, FDA’s own publications, as well as subsequent scientific studies have shown that there are significant differences, some of which may affect human health.

Just a short time ago, our friend Liana of Care2 told us:

RBGH causes increased risk for birth defects, potentially dangerous pus to form in milk and clinical lameness in cows. Cows treated with rBGH have an increased rate of mastitis, a bacterial infection on the udder, by 25 percent. Often given antibiotics to counter mastitis, rBGH-treated cows grow antibiotic-resistant bacteria that put humans at risk.

Canada, the European Union and several other countries have already banned the use of rBGH in milk production, and U.S. consumers are increasingly opting for milk produced without it. Now, companies may be looking to school lunch programs as an outlet for milk consumers don't want.

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius could sign the bill as soon as April 16th.

If you’d like to send a message to Governor Sebelius go to: The Center for Food Safety

If you’d like to sign a petition opposing passage of the bill described above go to: Food & Water Watch