|
|
|
Message From Michael (Day 16) |
Dear Friends of Glencolton Farms
I had a wonderful day today. It was sunny but cold, I met people on the street who wish us good luck and hope that we are succeeding. As hopeless as everything looks at the moment, we are gaining a lot of ground in popular support. I had only one phone call during the last weeks disagreeing with our efforts; even so, the caller was friendly, respectful and understanding. The scope of this adventure is slowly coming to light. Pieces are falling into place that gives me a better understanding about the reactions within the dairy industry. Today I heard very interesting inside stories from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, which explains the overreaction to crush any attempt to open the debate regarding Farm Fresh Milk.
I do want very much that you understand that we need to follow the lines of open communication. There are not two sides to the issue; rather, there are many different aspects that have nothing to do with milk and that do make this battle unpredictable to say the least.
My hunger strike, now well into its 16th Day, is concerning a lot of people. I know. I want you to know that there is a certain temptation every day to justify the return to food. However, there is also total clarity within me, which keeps me going and makes me determined to stay the course. Do not worry at the moment. Later, we may need help at the farm . . .
It is such a wonderful experience to see the support for what we are doing steadily growing. So many offer of help and financial support. So many people have been affected just by reading and hearing the adventurous story of reclaiming the purity of Farm Fresh Milk as nourishment for the whole family. It does my heart good . .
Regards Michael
|
|
|
Raid On Ontario Egg Farmer |
That’s Outrageous!
Whatever happened to common sense?
Freedom of Eggs-pression?
By Brian Kappler
The lawmen struck about 9 a.m. The task force rolled down County Road 21 in convoy and swooped down on a tranquil-looking farm. Some of the raiders searched the whole spread, even the bedrooms, while others kept an eye on the owner. The contraband was found in the barn: Bootleg eggs. Outlaw chickens
This March 23 (2006) drama played out at the farm of Shawn Carmichael, his wife, Paula, and their six children near Spencerville in eastern Ontario. The raid was the work of the gallant egg enforcers of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO, former Ontario Egg Producers) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Carmichael was told he faced various charges, including “unlawful possession of laying hens.” But just as officials were preparing to haul away his chickens –the egg police say there were 9,000—things got strange. Neighbours arrived, along with members of a local landowners’ group, grumbling that no chickens should be confiscated until Carmichael was convicted of something.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Transcript from Queen's Park Raw Milk Vote |
Democracy at Work
in Queen's Park: Hansard Index - MPP Bill Murdoch's Private Member's Notice of Motion to look
into the raw milk issue for an all-party task force examination, December 7, 2006
Here is the link to the transcript:
http://hansardindex.ontla.on.ca/hansardeissue/38-2/l133.htm
Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound): I move that, in the opinion of this House, the government of Ontario should immediately form an all-party task force to examine the issues surrounding raw milk and that the all-party task force report its findings to the House before the end of the spring session.
The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Mr. Murdoch has moved private member's notice of motion number 32. Pursuant to standing order 96, Mr. Murdoch, you have up to 10 minutes. The floor is yours.
Mr. Murdoch: This resolution does not choose sides. It does not say, "Drink raw milk." It does not say, "Don't drink raw milk." This resolution has only one aim: to debate. Debate is the foundation of our democratic system. We were elected to this House to discuss important issues. So today I put before you an opportunity to discuss a subject that has stirred up a lot of questions in our constituencies, in the media, on the street and even at home, but that has not yet been debated among us here in the legislative chamber.
The reason we need to look at this issue of raw milk is because (a) there is a thriving underground market in every constituency of Ontario; people -- families, children -- are consuming this product; (b) the issue of public health is in question, and it is our duty to examine that concern; and (c) none of us here is an expert on food choices, including myself. In fact, I don't even drink milk. Maybe the odd chocolate milk, but that's about it for me. So we should allow an all-party task force to examine the issues related to raw milk.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
BENEFIT CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF
BIO-DYNAMIC FARMER MICHAEL SCHMIDT'S LEGAL DEFENCE
December 10, 2006
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Refreshments available after the concert
TICKET: $50, Box office only -limited seating
LOCATION: Sunderland Hall at First Unitarian Congregation Church
175 St. Clair West (at Avenue Road)
-------------------PROGRAMME----------------------
Rachel Desoer*, cello
Anton Kuerti, piano
Teng Li, Viola
Emmanuel Vukovich*, violin
*members of the Lloyd-Carr-Harris String Quartet
J. S. Bach Chaconne in D minor for solo violin
Mozart Piano Quartet in G minor, K. 478
Allegro
Andante
Rondo: Allegro moderato
Beethoven Sonata C# minor Op. 27 No. 2 ("Moonlight Sonata")
Adagio sostenuto
Allegretto
Presto
|
|
|
Message From Michael (Day 15) |
Dear Friends of Glencolton Farms
I understand completely your frustration regarding our day today in the Legislature. I am thankful for the insight I received about how most of our representatives act on our behalf. It helps to take away any hope that something within the old system can actually respond to the growing needs of people. This experience saddened me more than the actual refusal to pass the motion. Bill Murdoch and some of his fellow MPPs deserve our thanks.
Where do we go from here? I drove home through heavy snow. It was very cold. I tried not to think too much about our next steps. But I know that persistence based on inner selfless motivation will help to bring about change. I only can go so far. it is the group, it is the vision, it is the will that, at the end, bring the changes.
You have seen how easily politics is manipulated through power, be it money, position or dependence.
We need to be clear. only by means of a strong inner moral and ethical conviction can all that seems to attack our personal lives be transformed into positive change.
Regards Michael
|
|
|
Province Says Nah To Raw Milk Motion |
Dec. 7, 2006. 05:30 PM
CANADIAN PRESS
The Ontario government stood firm today in its refusal to consider legalizing the sale of unpasteurized milk, a move one Opposition member warned could come back to haunt them if the controversial product ever makes anyone sick.
Conservative member Bill Murdoch's private member's motion would have compelled the government to establish a task force to examine whether decades-old legislation forbidding the sale of raw milk should be re-examined.
But it failed to win the approval of the legislature, prompting Murdoch to warn that the government would rue the day it opted to ignore the burgeoning popularity of untreated milk.
"If there are . . . people out there drinking this now and we do nothing, we do nothing in this House as legislators and somebody gets sick, somebody dies, then it's our responsibility in this House because we did nothing," Murdoch said.
At the heart of the debate is organic farmer Michael Schmidt, who has been on a hunger strike ever since his farm raided and equipment confiscated by officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources because he had been selling unpasteurized milk to about 150 people.
The sale of raw milk is illegal in Ontario, but Schmidt and his "investors" are taking advantage of a loophole in the Milk Act that allows farmers to drink raw milk from their own cattle.
Investors can buy a share of one of Schmidt's cows, effectively making them part owners who are entitled to drink the milk legally. Each one pays Schmidt $2 a litre for the milk.
Schmidt has vowed to remain on his hunger strike — now in its second week — until he's reimbursed for his losses, authorities agree to leave him alone and everything taken from his farm is returned.
Schmidt appeared very upbeat today, in spite of the fact that all he's consumed in the last two weeks is water and unpasteurized milk.
"I'm totally optimistic, because what they (the government) underestimate is that there is actually an enormous people power behind (my cause)," he said.
As he spoke, about 50 of his supporters, including some dairy farmers, sang the praises of "fresh milk" to the tune of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" during an impromptu news conference in the legislature parking lot.
"I don't know where the big problem is," said Murdoch, who noted that his motion would have done little more than compel the province to examine the issue, rather than legalize or regulate the sale of raw milk.
If people are drinking it even though it's illegal, the government must take some sort of action, he added.
The province, the Dairy Farmers of Ontario and the Grey-Bruce medical officer of health, Dr. Murray McQuigge, have all said the risk of bacteria in raw milk makes it unsafe for human consumption.
Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky said the current law is designed to protect people, and shouldn't be changed just because some people don't like it.
"There are people who drive cars who say that they would prefer to drive a car without a seatbelt, that they wouldn't be as restricted," Dombrowsky said.
"But we know it's in the better interest of the public, particularly our youngest, that we have laws in the province that require someone driving a car to wear a seatbelt. The same with raw milk."
Schmidt said he'll keep fighting the government, despite Thursday's setback — a setback he says he expected.
Now that he's been charged for running a plant without a licence, he's hired noted Toronto civil rights lawyer Clayton Ruby.
"The next step? Keep going. One step at a time."
|
|
| | << Start < Prev 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Next > End >>
| | Results 99 - 105 of 128 |
|
