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Canadian Farmer Pitted Against 8 Government Lawyers
A progress report from Canada regarding the trial of Michael Schmidt
Date: 2/3/2009 3:54:03 AM ( 15 y ) ... viewed 2013 times The following report from Canada refers once again to the "two milks" as discussed in "Raw Milk: The Whole Truth" DVD.
From http://thebovine.wordpress.com/
First Posted February 2, 2009 by Judith McGill on http://www.thebovine.wordpress.com
"Now here’s a progress report from the Newmarket courthouse by Judith McGill:
People from around the world were watching us last week during the seven day trial of Michael Schmidt of Glencolton Farms in Ontario, Canada. Michael chose to defend himself against 19 charges of selling, distributing, storing and displaying raw milk as well as failing to cease and desist with his program for the past 12 years. The trial took place in a provincial regulatory court that commonly tries traffic offences. The space was transformed by high drama as the singular farmer took on the complexities of the trial pitted against 8 government lawyers.
During the first three days of the trial where the Milk Act violations were dealt with, the government lawyers were awestruck at his ability to cross examine the two undercover investigators who had infiltrated his cowshare program. They had expected him to stumble over the protocols of the courtroom. Instead he was at ease with the procedural aspects of the court and able to zero in on the substantive issues that will move his case forward into the higher courts. Thursday and Friday of the week were dedicated to the Section 7 Charter Challenge that Michael has launched against the court.
Michael and his cowshare owners are claiming that the Milk Act is overbroad and too far reaching in claiming that raw milk is a hazardous substance and that an absolute ban is necessary. The Milk Act, by being overbroad is thereby infringing the rights of consumers. Since he was the applicant in this part of the trial he was able to lead off with two expert witnesses, Dr. Ted Beal and Dr. Ron Hull who testified to the nature of raw milk as being health-giving and pointing out the fact that farm practices are pivotal in producing a safe and healthy product. They were able to debunk some of the Crown's expert testimony that raw milk can never to safe by making a critical distinction between raw milk that is destined to be pasteurized (pre-pasteurized) and milk that is meant to for human consumption and go directly to consumers (farm fresh unprocessed raw milk). We believe that this distinction will be significant in this case.
There are two days remaining in the trial. The ruling will be reserved and we can expect to receive the ruling by May 2009. We are well aware that this decision is highly influenced by the court of public opinion and so we are pleased that the Canadian media has been covering this court case very favorably. Polls taken by the press consistently show that the majority of public opinion is in favour of the right to choose.
On Saturday, 150 people attended the first International Symposium on Raw Milk at University of Toronto. This historical event raised the scientific bar and shifted the rhetoric considerably in the debate. The speakers were able to look at all aspects of the debate. We are now planning the second International Raw Milk Symposium in Fresno California in the spring of 2010 and the third in Melbourne Australia. The purpose of each of these symposiums is to establish international raw milk standards for production and distribution and to review the current status of research and consumer claims of the health benefits of raw milk.
More Power to You Michael!!!!
Chef Jem
Executive Producer:
"Raw Milk: The Whole Truth"
AKA "The Raw Milk Controversy: Fact & Fiction"
Featuring Mark McAfee of Organic Pastures Dairy and Dr. Dale Jacobson, DC
View four video clips Online at:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_play_list?user=ChefJem33
Over 11,000 total views of the video clips just at YouTube!
Afraid of the idea of drinking raw milk? If so, viewing this video may bring relief!
Over 28,000 page views at: http://curezone.com/blogs/f.asp?f=1452
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