Gov. Jim Doyle made the right choice when he vetoed a bill that would have allowed the sale of raw milk in Wisconsin, but he didn't display good leadership in doing so.
The governor was solidly behind the bill about a month ago, but apparently bowed to pressure from its opponents — large dairy farmers, cheesemakers, doctors and veterinarians — in announcing the veto last week.
The flip-flop has further polarized those on both sides of this contentious issue. Backers of the plan, including small farmers who want to sell raw milk and the Wisconsin Farmers Union, say pasteurization destroys beneficial nutrients and enzymes. Public health officials and epidemiologists say unpasteurized milk can contain bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella, that causes sickness and even death.
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