|
|
Article: Raw Milk and Michael Schmidt
|
|
Raw Milk and Michael Schmidt - Jon Radojkovic
About 150 supporters of Michael Schmidt toasted their glasses last week to the Queen of England. The glasses were filled with raw milk and the toast was to the Queen because she drinks raw milk as well.
"It's not an issue whether raw milk is better - it's about choice," said Schmidt from his farm five kilometers north of Durham.
On November 21, officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources, public health officials and Ministry of Finance personnel raided Schmidt's farm. They confiscated milk products, about $10,000 worth of equipment used to process milk, and information on the farm's computer.
So far Schmidt has been charged with operating a milk processing plant without a license, but more charges may be laid. Officials from the health unit said it was part of a larger investigation across Ontario into the distribution of raw milk.
Because of the seizure of his equipment Schmidt is virtually closed down and unable to make a living anymore. He vowed to continue milking his cows (the milking equipment was left) and to supply his 180 'cow share' customers if they came to the farm. Schmidt's Glencolten Farm, has been supplying raw milk products for over 11 years, to customers who own a share of the 30 cows herd, with what Schmidt says "full government knowledge."
After his first conviction in 1994 of marketing raw milk, he was fined $3,500 and placed on probation for two years. He was also kicked out of the Milk Marketing Board.. In 1995 he made a public offer to the Ministry of Health and the Milk Marketing Board to do research on raw milk. "I never got a response." Schmidt continued, "They all knew what I was doing, it was no secret and I felt they had decided to leave me alone."
Eighteen months ago, when officials said they began their investigation, it was alleged that Schmidt's milk made one of his customers sick, but he denies this. "It was a fabricated story. I know the people very well and it turned out to be bad hamburger meat," he explained..
"I have complete trust in his ability to provide me with good products," said Karin Hoffmann, a customer who lives in Toronto and drove up for a rally last Thursday to support Schmidt. Hoffmann was surprised that she couldn't get raw milk or its products in Ontario when she moved here from Germany."You can get it all over Europe," she said. Raw milk products are also available in 28 US States and Quebec.
Local MPP Bill Murdoch agrees with Schmidt and said he would introduce a private members resolution on December 7 to have an all-party task force look into the issues around legalizing the sale of unpasteurized milk, which has been banned since 1938 in Ontario. The MPP would like to see legalizing the sale of raw milk as long as it's clearly marked. Both Schmidt and Murdoch think it's hypocritical that cigarettes, a known health hazard, are allowed to be sold, while raw milk or its products, are not.
Schmidt's shareholding customers, who pay an initial and then annual fee, vow they will support him and hinted at a lawsuit against the government unless Schmidt is reinstated. Once a week, Schmidt would drive down to Toronto, in a former school bus, to sell his products, which includes milk plus other goods such as bread and meat, to 150 shareholders down there. The family of provincial Finance Minister, Greg Sorbara, is known to have shares in Schmidt's dairy herd. Schmidt also has 30 shareholder families in the Durham area.
With a lot of support in mind, Schmidt decided to go on a hunger strike starting November 23, "as long as it's needed," he said. He has three demands - the government return all the items they have seized, reimburse him for all the milk products they have destroyed and guarantee they, the government will not interfere with the workings of the farm.
A tour of the Schmidt barn by his son Marcus showed a squeaky-clean operation and modern milking parlour. The milk room had all stainless steel equipment (what was left) and would pass all inspections, Schmidt claimed. In fact, he has invited inspection of his premises by government officials many times in the past 11 years but no one has ever taken him up on it.
"I thought you were innocent until proven guilty but they took everything away anyway," Schmidt said to a loud supportive crowd. He also had the support of the Grey Bruce Landowners Association. "We have to stand up for property rights and the right of government to confiscate property," said president of the association Paul Hallman.
The medical officer of Health for Bruce Grey Owen Sound, Hazel Lynn warned that "I cannot legally or in good conscience disregard the activity of someone who chooses to break the law when their actions jeopardize the health of others."
Schmidt has possibly broken that law but he has also tried for years to change it, with no luck so far, but momentum seems to be building.
|