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For Immediate Release: November 20th, 2007 |
One Year Later:
Michael Schmidtand his cow share ownerspresent a proposal to regulateunderground raw milk trade.
Wednesday November 21st@10:30amQueen's ParkPress Room
This coming Wednesday, Michael Schmidt along with his cow share owners are presenting a proposal to regulate the underground raw milk trade at Queen's Park in the Press Room Wednesday Nov 21st at 10:30am. Raw milk supporters will deliver this proposal to every MPP in Ontario throughout the day.
Also at the press conference, Schmidt will announce the very first International Raw Milk Symposium "the Raw Facts about Milk" which will take place in Toronto May 31st 2008. International experts from around the globe will be part of this Symposium which will all coincide during Schmidt's trial in May of next year. Log on to www.glencoltonfarms.ca for further information.
Confirmed to attend this press conference on Wednesday are:
MPP Bill Murdock
MPP Randy Hillier
Judith McGill Consumer
James McLaren for the Natural Milk Organization
Jamie Kennedy on behalf of Slow Food
Pam Killeen member of the Weston A. Price Foundation
November 21st marks the first anniversary of the raid on Michael Schmidt's dairy farm. Over 20 armed officers of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and local Health Unit searched the farm for over seven hours to obtain evidence and proof that Schmidt in fact distributes raw milk to consumers via a cow share program. Subsequently, Schmidt went on a 30 day hunger strike in order to force the return of all his equipment, documents and to ensure that there would be no further harassment until this matter has been dealt with in court.
Shortly after the raid, Greg Sorbara the former Finance Minister came out to say that he was a cow share owner in Schmidt's operation. Within three weeks, MPP Bill Murdock put a motion forward in Parliament to study the issue of raw milk regulation in Ontario, considering that there is a growing consumer demand and black market throughout Ontario which is not regulated. The bill was defeated.
Clayton Ruby was retained by Schmidt and the trial has been set for May 23, 2008 in Newmarket. Since last year's raid, Schmidt has continued to provide raw milk to his cow-share members. The York Regional Health Unit has forced the issue further by a superior court order to stop Schmidt from entering York Region to deliver raw milk to his cow-share owners. Despite the court order, Schmidt continues to make his weekly trip to Richmond Hill to provide raw milk to his cow-share owners.
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