MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Agriculture
By: Representative Eubanks
AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI ON-FARM SALES AND FOOD FREEDOM ACT; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS; TO PROHIBIT ANY COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE FROM REGULATING CERTAIN PRACTICES INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL OR FARM PRODUCTS ON ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY; TO PROHIBIT ANY COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FROM RESTRICTING THE RETAIL SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF UNPROCESSED AGRICULTURAL OR FARM PRODUCTS GROWN OR RAISED IN THIS STATE DIRECTLY FROM THE PRODUCER TO THE CONSUMER; TO PROHIBIT ANY COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FROM REQUIRING ANY PERMIT FOR THE GROWING OR RAISING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS ON CERTAIN PROPERTIES WHEN THOSE PRODUCTS ARE USED FOR NONCOMMERCIAL PURPOSES; TO CLARIFY THAT THIS ACT MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO GIVE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS THAT SUPERSEDE ANY LOCAL ZONING ORDINANCE OR NUISANCE LAW; TO REQUIRE AGRICULTURAL OR FARM PRODUCTS SOLD UNDER THIS ACT TO BE CLEARLY MARKED AND LABELED WITH A "BUYERS BEWARE" LABEL OUTLINING THE INHERENT RISK ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMING UNPROCESSED PRODUCTS; TO AMEND SECTION 75-31-65, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE INCIDENTAL SALES OF RAW GOAT MILK OR RAW MILK PRODUCTS TO INCLUDE MILK PRODUCED FROM COWS; TO AMEND SECTION 69-3-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Sections 1 through 6 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi On-Farm Sales and Food Freedom Act."
SECTION 2. As used in Sections 1 through 6 of this act, the following words and phrases have the meanings as defined in this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) "Agricultural product" means any food product grown on Mississippi farms or gardens and includes, but is not limited to, fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and all annual or perennial plants, trees and shrubs grown in Mississippi, as well as all animal and animal related bi-products, including meat, poultry, eggs, milk and cheese, which are raised, harvested or produced in Mississippi. The term "agricultural product" does not include any item considered to be an illegal base, derivative, drug or narcotic.
(b) "Buyer beware label" means a statement clearly affixed to the container or packaging of agricultural or farm products which informs the purchaser or consumer of potential risks associated with the consumption of products in their natural, raw or unprocessed form.
(c) "Crops" means fruits and products of all annual or perennial plants, trees and shrubs.
(d) "Milk goat" means a doe kept for the purpose of producing milk and any unweaned kid goats.
(e) "On-farm sales" means the sale, purchase, barter or trade of agricultural or farm products within the State of Mississippi by and for Mississippi residents on the actual grower's or producer's property, at farmers' markets by the actual grower or producer, or any other arm's length transaction by the grower or producer which results in the delivery of the agricultural or farm products directly to the consumer. The term "on-farm sales" does not include the commercial production of agricultural or farm products grown, produced or processed for wholesale or mass distribution for third parties.
(f) "Raw milk" means milk that has not been pasteurized.
(g) "Resident" means any person domiciled in the State of Mississippi and any other person who maintains a legal or actual residence within the state.
(h) "Unprocessed" means agricultural or farm products that have not been canned, cooked, fermented, distilled, preserved, ground, crushed or slaughtered.
SECTION 3. (1) (a) A county, municipality or other political subdivision of this state shall not adopt or enforce any ordinance, rule, regulation or resolution regulating crop management or animal husbandry practices involved in the production of agricultural or farm products on any private property.
(b) A county, municipality or other political subdivision of this state shall not adopt or enforce any ordinance, rule, regulation or resolution that prohibits or regulates the retail sale or distribution of processed or unprocessed agricultural or farm products grown or raised in this state directly from the producer to the consumer as food for human consumption or seed for replanting.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section may not be interpreted to impair the power of any county or municipal governing authority or other political subdivision to adopt or enforce any zoning ordinance or make any other zoning decision or to authorize any individual to supersede any local zoning ordinance.
(3) Subsection (1) of this section may not be interpreted to impair the power of a county or municipal governing authority or other political subdivision to adopt or enforce any ordinance, rule, regulation or resolution regulating land application of human waste.
SECTION 4. (1) Sections 1 through 6 of this act and any rule or regulation adopted under the authority provided in the act does not prohibit or regulate the retail sale or distribution of unprocessed agricultural or farm products grown or raised in this state directly from the producer to the consumer as food for human consumption or seeds for replanting.
(2) The seeds produced from crops grown in this state must remain the sole property of the producer, which may be stored and preserved for replanting or sold without penalty.
SECTION 5. (1) A county, municipality or other political subdivision of this state shall not prohibit or require any permit for the growing or raising of food crops or chickens, rabbits or milk goats in:
(a) Home gardens, coops, or pens on private residential property so long as the food crops or animals or the products thereof are used for human consumption by the occupant of the property and members of his or her household and not for commercial purposes; or
(b) Community or cooperative gardens, coops or pens on any portion of any private lot made available for such purposes by the occupant of the lot so long as the total lot size is not more than two and three-fourths (2-3/4) acres and the food crops or animals or the products thereof are used for human consumption by the growers and raisers and members of their households and not for commercial purposes. However, the slaughter of goats kept under the authority of this section is prohibited.
(2) This section does not prohibit or impair:
(a) The authority of a local governmental entity to abate a public nuisance;
(b) Any cause of action brought by a private citizen to abate a private nuisance under Section 97-44-15; or
(c) Any private covenant or other private agreement restricting the use of real property.
(3) This act may not be construed to give individual rights that supersede any local zoning ordinance or nuisance law.
SECTION 6. (1) Agricultural and farm products sold under this act must be marked and labeled clearly with a warning in the form of a "Buyers Beware" label outlining the inherent risk associated with consuming unprocessed products. In each case, the label statement must appear in a conspicuous and easily legible bold-faced print or type in distinct contrast to other matters on the package. The label statement must appear as a distinct item on the principal display panel in letters in a type size established in relationship to the area of the principal display panel of the package. The label must be uniform for all packages of substantially the same size and must comply with the following type specifications:
(a) Not less than one-eighth (1/8) inch in height on packages that have a principal display panel that is twenty-five (25) square inches or less;
(b) Not less than three-sixteenths (3/16) inch in height on packages that have a principal display panel that is more than twenty-five (25) but not more than one hundred (100) square inches;
(c) Not less than one-fourth (1/4) inch in height on packages that have a principal display panel that is more than one hundred (100) square inches but not more than four hundred (400) square inches; or
(d) Not less than one-half (1/2) inch in height on packages that have a principal display panel that is more than four hundred (400) square inches.
(2) The "Buyers Beware" label must contain the following notice of warning:
"BUYERS BEWARE
The consumption of fruit, vegetable, grain, nut and animal bi-products that have not been irradiated, processed, pasteurized, homogenized or the like carry with it certain inherent health risks. Consume at your own risk."
(3) Raw milk or cream or cottage cheese, butter, buttermilk, kefir or cheeses made from raw milk or cream must be displayed for sale separately from, and may not be commingled with, pasteurized dairy products. The display must be marked prominently "raw milk" or "raw milk products" on the principal display panel of the label. Any person who sells raw milk or raw milk products in violation of this section or who causes any raw milk or raw milk products to be introduced into interstate commerce by selling such products across state lines as prohibited under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA)(21 USCS Section 331), as regulated by 21 CFR Section 1240.61, will be punished as provided for under 21 USCS Section 333(a)(1).
(4) (a) All sales, purchases, barter or trade exchanges of agricultural and farm products may occur only within the boundaries of the state and only between residents of the state, with the understanding that the products will be consumed within the state.
(b) All transactions for agricultural and farm products under this act must be by and for Mississippi residents and may occur only on the actual grower's or producer's property, at farmers' markets by the actual grower or producer, or by any other arm's length transaction by the grower or producer that results in the delivery of the agricultural or farm products directly to the consumer within the State of Mississippi.
SECTION 7. Section 75-31-65, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
75-31-65. (1) The State Board of Health shall:
(a) Exercise general
supervision over the production, processing and sale of milk and milk products
and the processing and sale of frozen desserts * * *;
(b) Adopt, modify,
repeal and promulgate rules and regulations, after due notice and hearing, and,
where not otherwise prohibited by federal law or state law, make exceptions to,
grant exemptions from and enforce rules and regulations implementing or
effectuating the duties of the board under this section to protect the public
health * * *;
and
(c) Use the most current edition of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, or its successor, as the basis for regulation of Grade "A" milk and milk products. Unless as otherwise provided by law, the board, in its discretion, may amend, modify or make additions to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance if the board determines that such amendment, modification or addition is in the best interest of public health.
(2) The board shall assess fees in the following amount and for the following purpose:
Milk product processing plant annual permit fee........... $300.00
Frozen dessert processing plant annual permit fee......... $300.00
Any increase in the fees charged by the board under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65.
The fees authorized under this subsection shall not be assessed for milk or frozen dessert processing plants operated by public schools, by public junior colleges or by state agencies or institutions, including, without limitation, the state institutions of higher learning.
(3) Incidental sales of raw * * * milk shall be legal if:
(a) The milk is sold directly to the consumer on the premises where the milk is produced or at a farmer's market in an on-farm sales transaction as defined in Section 2(e) of this act;
(b) No more than nine (9) producing goats are located on the premises where the milk is produced; however, there is no restriction on the number of cows that may be located on the premises where cow milk is produced for incidental on-farm sales;
(c) The person selling the raw milk does not advertise the milk for sale and provides adequate notice to potential consumers of the inherent risks associated with the consumption of unprocessed products, as required under Section 6 of this act; and
(d) The following conditions, which apply to the milking of goats and cows involved in legal incidental sales of raw goat milk, are satisfied:
(i) The milking takes place in a clean environment on a cement or comparable floor;
(ii) The milking place is enclosed by a wall and/or a screen to prevent insects from entering the milking area;
(iii) A fly strap is located in the milking area; and
(iv) Sterile containers are used in the milking process and for storage.
It shall not be unlawful to
store raw goat or cow milk in a separate sterile place from pasteurized
goat or cow milk. The Cooperative Extension Service at Alcorn State
University shall publish and make available literature on the requirements of
this subsection, and other related milk * * * maintenance, explaining the
recommended care of milk goats and cows, the process of goat and cow
milk production and other related subjects. For the purposes of this
subsection, the term "incidental sales" means sales from a farm where
not more than nine (9) goats are producing milk or at a farmer's market, or,
in the case of cows, in an on-farm sales transaction as defined in Section 2(e)
of this act.
(4) For purposes of this section, the term "person" includes an individual, firm, partnership, association or corporation, foreign or domestic; however, as used in subsection (3) of this section, the term "person" only means an individual acting in his or her independent capacity for the incidental sale, purchase or on-farm sale if raw milk for personal consumption and who is not acting as an agent of any firm, partnership, association or corporation, foreign or domestic.
(5) All fees collected by the board under this section shall be paid into a special fund within the Department of Health to be used by the department to discharge its duties under this section.
(6) Any person coming within the provisions of this section who fails to comply with or violates any of the provisions of this section or regulations promulgated thereunder, unless otherwise specifically provided in this section, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or confined in jail for not more than sixty (60) days, or both.
(7) Any person who sells or offers for sale adulterated milk or milk products or cream or frozen desserts or any milk or cream having therein any foreign substance or coloring matter or any chemicals or preservatives, whether for the purpose of increasing the quantity of milk or cream or for improving its appearance or for the purpose of preserving the condition of sweetness thereof, or for any other purpose whatsoever, or unpasteurized milk or milk products except as otherwise authorized by law, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or confined in jail not more than sixty (60) days, or both; however, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the addition of vitamins to milk or milk products in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the board or to prohibit the sale of pasteurized milk or cream or frozen desserts except unlawful cream or unlawful milk products or unlawful frozen desserts as defined in the rules and regulations promulgated by the board.
(8) (a) Any person doing business in the State of Mississippi and engaged in the production, manufacture, sale or distribution of any dairy products that, for the purpose of destroying the business of a competitor in any locality or creating a monopoly, discriminates between different sections, localities, communities, cities or towns of the state by selling such commodity at a lower rate or price in one (1) section, locality, community, city or town than such commodity is sold by such person in any other section, locality, community, city or town, after making due allowance for the difference, if any, in the grade or quality and in the actual cost of the transportation from the point of production or purchase, if a raw product, to the place of sale, storage or distribution, is guilty of unfair discrimination, which is prohibited and declared unlawful; however, prices made to meet competition in such section, locality, community, city or town shall not be in violation of this subsection.
(b) Any person doing business in the State of Mississippi and engaged in the business of purchasing for manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of any dairy product, that, for the purpose of destroying the business of a competitor or creating a monopoly, discriminates between different sections, localities, communities, cities or towns in the state by purchasing such commodity at a higher rate or price in one (1) section, locality, community, city or town than is paid for such commodity by such person in any other section, locality, community, city or town, after making due allowance for the difference, if any, in the grade or quality, and in the actual cost of transportation from the point of purchase to the point of manufacture, sale or distribution or storage, is guilty of unfair discrimination, which is prohibited and declared to be unlawful; however, prices made to meet competition in such locality, section, community, city or town shall not be a violation of this subsection.
(c) Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection, shall be fined not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or shall be imprisoned in jail not more than twelve (12) months, or both.
(9) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to any person who does not sell his milk, cream, butter or other products mentioned herein to others.
SECTION 8. Section 69-3-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
69-3-11. Agricultural seed or mixtures of same, vegetable seed, flower seed, and tree and shrub seed shall be exempt from provisions of this article:
(1) When sold and delivered by a farmer-grower of this state on his own premises or any individual authorized under Sections 1 through 6 of this act, but a farmer-grower or other authorized individual is required to label seed when sold and shipped away from his premises, but is not required to hold the seedsman's permit. These provisions do not apply to commercial growers of seed.
(2) When sold or represented to be sold for purposes other than seeding, providing that the vendor shall make it unmistakably clear to the purchaser of such seed that it is not for seeding purposes.
(3) When seed for
processing is being transported to, or consigned to, or stored in a processing
or cleaning establishment, provided that the invoice or labeling accompanying * * * the seed bears the statement
"seed for processing." Other labeling or representation which may be
made with respect to the uncleaned or unprocessed seed shall be subject to this
article.
(4) No label shall be required, unless requested by the purchaser, on agricultural seed, mixtures of same, vegetable seed, flower seed, and tree and shrub seed when such seeds are sold directly to and in the presence of the purchaser and taken from a container labeled in accordance with this article.
(5) No person shall be subjected to the penalties of this article for having sold, offered or exposed for sale in this state agricultural seed, mixtures of same, vegetable seed, flower seed, or tree and shrub seed which were incorrectly labeled or represented as to kind, variety or origin, which seed cannot be identified by examination thereof, unless he has failed to obtain an invoice or grower's declaration or other labeling information and to take such other precautions as may be reasonable to ensure the identity to be that stated.
SECTION 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.