May 16, 2008
From MNR-Confrontation to Constructive Dialogue
Next week’s Trial cancelled for now
Today was the last pre-trial hearing in Newmarket with the prosecution
prior to next week’s trial. In an unexpected turn of events,
confrontation turned into dialogue.
The assigned Justice of the Peace approached the whole issue in such a manner that everybody understood what was at stake in respect to individual freedom, on the one hand, and the responsibility of government on the other. We met with the entire six-member prosecution team privately and started mapping a plan to work on a solution, which is to be presented in June and argued in front of the same Justice of the Peace sometime in the next six months. There was a common will to reach out and move forward. One significant gesture was the offer to return the equipment.
Is there reason to celebrate? Yes, in that I gained great respect for the other side and their openness to work together on a solution, which will benefit all of us in the long run. No, in that they cannot change the law, but we can work together to present the case in a manner that will make it possible to get to the core of the argument, which eventually will bring about change. We achieved an understanding, we acknowledged our different positions and we parted with respect.
This we could have achieved without a major raid on our farm. Since 1996, when I met with the Minister of Agriculture, I have expressed publicly my willingness to discuss the issue of Raw Milk. For 12 years, we never hid the fact that Cow Share Owners were receiving their milk. For 12 years, we waited for dialogue.
My thanks go out to the Judge and the Prosecution.
Regards,
Michael Schmidt
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