Raw milk crusader fined $9,150 :

[styky]

Raw milk crusader fined $9,150

QMI Agency

First posted: Friday, November 25, 2011 04:46 PM EST | Updated: Friday, November 25, 2011 04:52 PM EST
OWEN SOUND, Ont. -- The southern Ontario dairy farmer who went on a hunger strike to protest the prohibition of raw milk was sentenced Friday.

Michael Schmidt received one year of probation and a fine of $9,150.

Schmidt was acquitted in January 2010 of 19 charges under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, which makes it illegal to sell or distribute raw, unpasteurized milk in Canada.

But Judge Peter Tetley overturned the acquittals on 15 of the charges on Sept. 28.

The judge rejected Schmidt's argument that he is legally allowed to distribute raw milk to members of his so-called cow-share program, in which people "own" shares of his dairy herd.

The next day, Schmidt launched a hunger strike in protest. He ended it 37 days later -- and 50 lbs. lighter -- on Nov. 4, when he was granted a meeting with Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Schmidt said the prohibition on raw milk is an "unjust law" against individual rights, and told the premier that raw milk production should be subject to "proper regulations."

Ontario's public health agency says raw milk is hazardous and can contain E. coli, salmonella and listeria.

Schmidt is also facing a contempt of court charge in British Columbia in connection with a cow-share program.
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/11/25/ra ... fined-9150

[Brown envelope]

This case is joke. Schmidt sold raw milk to people who KNEW it was raw milk...what in the bloody blue hell is the problem??!!!

[WestViking]

This case is joke. Schmidt sold raw milk to people who KNEW it was raw milk...what in the bloody blue hell is the problem??!!!

Nothing - no one is ill yet and looking for someone to sue.

[Red Green]

This case is joke. Schmidt sold raw milk to people who KNEW it was raw milk...what in the bloody blue hell is the problem??!!!

So a seller (Schmidt) sold a product (raw milk) to buyers who were perfectly aware it was raw milk and the govt is getting involved why?

Apparently you view the decision of what to eat or drink something that is best left to the govt rather than the individual. Or is it that the fellow was conducting trade in a way the govt didn't like?

[Brown envelope]

This case is joke. Schmidt sold raw milk to people who KNEW it was raw milk...what in the bloody blue hell is the problem??!!!

So a seller (Schmidt) sold a product (raw milk) to buyers who were perfectly aware it was raw milk and the govt is getting involved why?

Apparently you view the decision of what to eat or drink something that is best left to the govt rather than the individual. Or is it that the fellow was conducting trade in a way the govt didn't like?

I support the farmer, why the hell can't he sell this product to a consumer? Unfortunately most Kanadians will back the government on this issue...

[Red Green]

This case is joke. Schmidt sold raw milk to people who KNEW it was raw milk...what in the bloody blue hell is the problem??!!!

So a seller (Schmidt) sold a product (raw milk) to buyers who were perfectly aware it was raw milk and the govt is getting involved why?

Apparently you view the decision of what to eat or drink something that is best left to the govt rather than the individual. Or is it that the fellow was conducting trade in a way the govt didn't like?

I support the farmer, why the hell can't he sell this product to a consumer? Unfortunately most Kanadians will back the government on this issue...

LOL now when I re-read your quote put in context, I realize what you were saying. When I first read it I thought you were bagging on the fact that Schmidt was fighting the charges.

[RedDog]

Like sale-at-the-farm of beef during and since BSE, this ruling will just drive things further underground - which also reduces tax collection. I know people who haven't purchased meat at the supermarket since and if I had a deep freeze and a household of more than one person I would be another.

This is of course a government structure which can't keep cocaine and heroin out of it's prisons and yet they espouse to know what's best in the regulation and distribution of consumer products. They only embarrass themselves.

[free_life2]

In the process of buying a cow right now with a few other people (meat not milk). $3 to $4 a pound for free range beef, a pox on the supermarkets...now if I could find cheese to buy direct without the government pricing and reseller gouging.

[Red Green]

In the process of buying a cow right now with a few other people (meat not milk). $3 to $4 a pound for free range beef, a pox on the supermarkets...now if I could find cheese to buy direct without the government pricing and reseller gouging.

I've been looking into the same thing down here. There is a guy that sells grass-fed free range all natural beef at the farmer's market here and I was going to go buy a sample and if I liked the product, but a side of beef.

[free_life2]

In the process of buying a cow right now with a few other people (meat not milk). $3 to $4 a pound for free range beef, a pox on the supermarkets...now if I could find cheese to buy direct without the government pricing and reseller gouging.

I've been looking into the same thing down here. There is a guy that sells grass-fed free range all natural beef at the farmer's market here and I was going to go buy a sample and if I liked the product, but a side of beef.

There are some free range Beefalo ready for slaughter in January that we will also be interested in. I have been buying free range chickens and eggs for a few years now, they taste so much better ...the yolks are so much more rich tasting and the chicken meat again so much more flavorful and without the injected chemicals and water and antibiotics that store bought chickens and eggs have. It is a growing industry here and I suspect demand will out pace supply before long.

Anyone knowing someone selling cheese direct in my neck of the woods let me know.

[free_life2]

In the process of buying a cow right now with a few other people (meat not milk). $3 to $4 a pound for free range beef, a pox on the supermarkets...now if I could find cheese to buy direct without the government pricing and reseller gouging.

I've been looking into the same thing down here. There is a guy that sells grass-fed free range all natural beef at the farmer's market here and I was going to go buy a sample and if I liked the product, but a side of beef.

Curious how much it sells for down there, butchered and wrapped.

In Winnipeg supermarket meat prices range from about $4+ for hamburger to $18 tenderloin per pound...most roasts and steaks $5 to $13 a pound depending on cut. I use to buy beef (half a calf) at $2 a pound that was not free range but it is now $3.50 a pound so I figure $4 for free range butchered and wrapped is a great deal compared to store prices.

[free_life2]

Here is a good site for Canadians & Americans who want to buy free range grass fed meat

http://www.eatwild.com/products/canada.html

[Red Green]

In the process of buying a cow right now with a few other people (meat not milk). $3 to $4 a pound for free range beef, a pox on the supermarkets...now if I could find cheese to buy direct without the government pricing and reseller gouging.

I've been looking into the same thing down here. There is a guy that sells grass-fed free range all natural beef at the farmer's market here and I was going to go buy a sample and if I liked the product, but a side of beef.

There are some free range Beefalo ready for slaughter in January that we will also be interested in. I have been buying free range chickens and eggs for a few years now, they taste so much better ...the yolks are so much more rich tasting and the chicken meat again so much more flavorful and without the injected chemicals and water and antibiotics that store bought chickens and eggs have. It is a growing industry here and I suspect demand will out pace supply before long.

Anyone knowing someone selling cheese direct in my neck of the woods let me know.

There is a supplier of free-range chickens down here. They're pretty pricey at $4 per pound. I think the eggs are $4 per dozen. I had plans to go that route, but I need to buy a freezer first.

[BlawBlaw]

If tobacco and alcohol products are legally available for sale, then why not raw milk?

[Red Green]

If tobacco and alcohol products are legally available for sale, then why not raw milk?

Better lobby?

Govt does not make sense, it's just about force and graft.