Raw milk news conference in Edmonton

Photos from today’s raw milk news conference with Michael Schmidt in Edmonton Alberta:

Michael Schmidt drinks a glass of raw milk while talking to reporters.

CBC News: Raw milk debate spills onto legislature steps (in Edmonton, Alberta)

CBC news reports on Michael Schmidt’s news conference and raw milk “drink in” on the steps of the Alberta legislature in Edmonton:

Ontario raw milk activist Michael Schmidt arranges glasses of milk at a demonstration in front of the Alberta legislature Monday. Photo via CBC news

“People who drink raw milk are demanding their right to do that be protected by the Alberta Government.

“It’s not just about milk,” said Judith Johnson, who farms west of Edmonton. “It’s about our freedom to choose healthy foods for our bodies and our ability to attain it without being persecuted like a drug dealer.”

Raw-milk drinkers say pasteurization, the process of heating milk to destroy bacteria and extend shelf life, destroys important nutrients and enzymes.Milk producers can consume unpasteurized milk but they cannot sell it.

So some dairy farmers are distributing raw milk through cow-share programs where devotees buy a share of a dairy herd.

Raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt’s “Edmonton Declaration” from his news conference this morning in Alberta

The following document will have been presented at Michael Schmidt’s news conference which will take place on the steps of the Alberta Legislature this morning:

Photo from the news conference this morning at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton.

“Agriculture has been the backbone of Canada. History has taught us that a healthy Agri-culture is able to feed all the people and therefore creates a healthy and socially stabel enviroment.

At the turn of the last century 70% of our Canadian population was actively involved in farming.

Today we have only 2% of the poulation left working on farms.

Michael Schmidt in Alberta talking to farmers about raw milk strategies

Michael Schmidt reports from Alberta:

Today we gathered with about 15 farmers to discuss strategy and further actions in respect to protecting the various cow share operations in Alberta. People drove over six hours to take part in this session.

Ontario raw milk pioneer Michael Schmidt meets with local farmers Judith and Eric in Alberta today.

There was intensive debate about the Canada Cow Share concept. Standards and training as well the accreditation of farms was discussed in depth.