Raw milk farmers Eric Pudlow, Judith Johnson, and both of them again with Michael Schmidt
Ontario raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt confirmed today that the trial of Judith Johnson and Eric Pudlow on charges related to raw milk has been postponed again, this time until May or June. The trial was originally scheduled for February 23, 2011.
Back in February, Michael Schmidt traveled to Edmonton to participate in the court proceedings in support of Judith and Eric only to find that the judge adjourned the case until March 23, ostensibly because the prosecutors had only just received the case documentation a few minutes before the trial and therefore did not have time to prepare the case properly. While Michael was there, he spoke to a gathering of Slow Food supporters from the Edmonton area.
So it’s been a month now since that happened, and in the mean time Michael has received word that the case is being postponed until May or June of this year. It’s beginning to look like the authorities in Alberta are not too eager to proceed with the case, now that it’s clear that a credible defense will be mounted. Meanwhile the appeal of Michael Schmidt’s acquittal on 19 charges related to raw milk will be heard here in Ontario beginning April 13th, 2011.
Perhaps the Alberta health authorities are hoping that if Michael’s acquittal is overturned in that appeal, it will be easier to prosecute the case of Judith and Eric. As we’ve said before, that appeal case in April will be followed closely by farmers, food enthusiasts and health departments across the country.
The Bovine 