Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Industrial Milk Demands Monopoly
Michael Schmidt, the Ontario farmer currently on a 4-week hunger strike to protest the government's shutdown of his raw milk business, has another press conference/rally in front of the Legislative Building at Queens Park tomorrow, Wednesday December 20, 1996 starting at 10:30am (inside and out of the Blue Bus). Along with support of Toronto's top chefs, Michael will announce the end of his hunger strike after losing over 50 lbs.
Watch 20 armed Ministry of Natural Resources officers raid the farm:
This fight is not really about the public health aspects of raw milk, but the corporate desire for total control of the milk market. Mr Schmidt's milk is a farm-gate product. He is a small independent producer outside of the industrial agriculture economy. His market consists of a small number of highly informed consumers that want the benefits of health and taste that come from local, pasture based (grassfed), naturally raised dairy and meat products. Many of his supporters have prominent profiles in the food and restaurant community.
Mr Schmidt's raw milk business threatens industrial milk because it makes public the downside of their own unpleasant practices. Pasteurization laws favour large industrialized dairy operations where cows can be raised in less-expensive and less-healthy conditions.
The Ontario Landowners Association will be attending the rally on Dec 20 and showing their support by buying a '$300 cow share' in Mr Schmidt's business.
Hear a RealAudio CBC interview with Michael Schmidt.
To read more about the pros and cons of raw milk check this Wikipedia entry.
Find out what real milk really is at the Real Milk Website.
Watch 20 armed Ministry of Natural Resources officers raid the farm:
This fight is not really about the public health aspects of raw milk, but the corporate desire for total control of the milk market. Mr Schmidt's milk is a farm-gate product. He is a small independent producer outside of the industrial agriculture economy. His market consists of a small number of highly informed consumers that want the benefits of health and taste that come from local, pasture based (grassfed), naturally raised dairy and meat products. Many of his supporters have prominent profiles in the food and restaurant community.
Mr Schmidt's raw milk business threatens industrial milk because it makes public the downside of their own unpleasant practices. Pasteurization laws favour large industrialized dairy operations where cows can be raised in less-expensive and less-healthy conditions.
The Ontario Landowners Association will be attending the rally on Dec 20 and showing their support by buying a '$300 cow share' in Mr Schmidt's business.
Hear a RealAudio CBC interview with Michael Schmidt.
To read more about the pros and cons of raw milk check this Wikipedia entry.
Find out what real milk really is at the Real Milk Website.
