http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/thelens/2008/michaelschmidt/#
Michael Schmidt loves to be on his farm. But he's also very comfortable
being in the midst of controversy. Filmmaker Norman Lofts takes us into
the heart of that controversy.
Schmidt is a passionate advocate of organic raw milk - he says it's
better than pasteurized milk. And he's been struggling to legally
provide "farm fresh milk" to those who want it, while battling various
government and scientific authorities. The Milk Act of 1938 made it
illegal to sell raw (unpasteurized) milk in Ontario, although it is
legal in all other G8 countries, including 28 U.S. states. Health
officials believe that raw milk is unsafe milk. In November 2006,
twenty-five armed officers staged a raid at Michael Schmidt's farm,
confiscating milk, equipment, computers and files.
Raw Milk Crusader: Michael Schmidt
Watch a promo.
1:11 min
The film chronicles the unfolding events of the organic raw vs.
pasteurized milk "war" from both sides of the issue, from a farmer who
challenges Canadian law, to the powerful $6 billion milk industry that
argues that only pasteurized milk should be allowed in the marketplace
in order to protect the public's health.
Eminent research scientists, like Dr. Mansel Griffiths from the Canadian
Research Institute for Food Safety at the University of Guelph present
scientific arguments about pathogens and milk. Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical
Officer of Health, Grey /Bruce Health Unit (Owen Sound, Ont.), is
committed to the public health policy that is in place to protect the
public from any unsafe food products, even if it may does infringe on
their individual rights. The Ontario Minister of Agriculture is
determined to stick with the status quo - the science seems irrefutable
and the politics unmovable. Yet Michael Schmidt's devoted cow-share
members express their convictions about raw milk's benefit in their
lives and demand that they have the right to choose the milk they want
to drink, without government interference.
Michael Schmidt with a farm helper Lofts follows Schmidt to California where raw milk is readily available in stores and supermarkets. He visits the largest raw milk supplier in the U.S. and discovers that even in California, the pressure to stop the
availability of raw milk to consumers is fierce. By contrast, at Plaw Hatch Farms south of London, England, there is a more harmonious relationship between raw milk farmers and the government.
In September 2008, Schmidt was in court for allegedly refusing to obey a
court order that he follow a York Region public health directive to stop
selling raw milk. Contempt charges were sought by York Region officials,
who fear that there are health risks to people who drink the milk,
including the risk of spreading salmonella, E. coli and listeria
bacteria.
Police raid Michael Schmidt's farm.
On Monday October 20th, 2008 Schmidt was found guilty of contempt of
court. He has asked the judge to give him the maximum penalty but a
sentence has not yet been delivered.
Schmidt still faces numerous charges laid by the Ministry of Natural
Resources and the Grey-Bruce Health Unit. He is accused of violating the
Health Protection and Promotion Act by selling and distributing raw
milk. That case is slated to go to trial in January, 2009. For that
trial Schmidt is planning to defend himself, as he did for the contempt
trial.
No matter which side of the raw versus pasteurized milk debate you're
on, the question remains; "should Canadians have the legal right to
choose the foods they want to eat?" And, "do parents have the right to
choose the foods their children eat - even if there's a safety risk?"
NOTE: Health Canada
continues to advise consumers not to drink raw milk. They say any
possible benefits are outweighed by the risk of serious illness.
May Archangel Michael protect Michael Schmidt in his Raw Milk Crusade in Canada!
Chef Jem
Executive Producer:
"Raw Milk: The Whole Truth"
(AKA: "The Raw Milk Controversy: Fact & Fiction")
Now available in an upgraded and fully guaranteed DVD!
If you want to know "the whole truth" about raw milk or know someone whom you think may benefit by knowing then get this DVD. Now available as an upgraded, higher quality DVD that comes guaranteed!
See four video clips Online!
Video clips can be viewed in this order:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d3EeTBXMPo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikcYjBSe6fA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD_aTnUWAZ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYDK6HBHvfs
You can place your orders through PayPal and use this e-mail location:
chef@thesetruths.com
Total cost is $20.00 per DVD (includes all S&H and any PalPal fees).
Buy 3 at "Wholesale": $14.00 ea. (plus 7.99 S&H with insurance).
Buy 4 with S&H included.
Buy 5 or more at the "distributor" rate of $10.00 ea. (+ 9.99 S&H and insurance).
10 or more with free S&H, etc.
Contact Chef Jem for additional information.
LILIPOH Review:
http://curezone.com/blogs/fm.asp?i=1206830
http://curezone.com/blogs/f.asp?f=1452
(With over 18,000 views since January)
Other Blogs include:
http://curezone.com/blogs/f.asp?f=1785