|
Murdoch hopes to diffuse raw milk dispute |
Murdoch hopes to diffuse raw milk dispute
Owen Sound Sun Times (ON)
Don Crosby
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch is, according to this story,
weighing into the raw milk debate with a suggestion on how to resolve
the conflict.
The story says that Murdoch plans to introduce a private member's resolution on Dec. 7 calling for an all-party task force to look into the issues surrounding legalized sale of unpasteurized milk, with Murdoch quoted as saying, "It will give people on both sides a chance to have their say all across the province and at least it will come up with some recommendations."
Murdoch said he's upset that conservation officers in full uniform were pulled in from various parts of the province to mount a raid on Michael Schmidt's farm on Tuesday while there's such a need for more enforcement officers in the field.
"We're short at least 100 MNR officers in the province. There isn't one up on the Bruce Peninsula and this time of year there's all kinds of game that needs protecting," he said.
Schmidt has extended a standing invitation for public health officials to use his farm as a test case in preparing guidelines for legalizing the sale of unpasteurized milk products.
Murdoch agrees with Schmidt that it's hypocritical to allow the sale of cigarettes, which are clearly marked a health hazard, and alcohol, which can be dangerous to personal health, while banning milk, which is a food.
Murdoch was further quoted as saying, "If people want to choose it they should have the right to eat or drink what they want as long as it's clearly marked."
Murdoch said he wants to meet privately with provincial Finance Minister Greg Sorbara, whose family is known to be shareholders in the Schmidt dairy herd.
Schmidt's 1994 legal troubles raised widespread support from some, including Sorbara who was at the time the MPP for York Centre, as well as many others who contributed toward the $30,000 cost of Schmidt's legal defence.
If the government had taken a more conciliatory approach to the raw milk issue, Murdoch said his intervention wouldn't be necessary.
 |
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form