Raw milk freedom rally October 13th at Owen Sound’s Grey County Health Unit

Photos from Julie Briski, taken at yesterday’s rally:

A toast for the Queen, whose family are known drinkers of raw milk!

Health issues and “health” regulations

Lettter to a friend from Sean McGivern:

Sean McGivern at yesterday's raw milk rally in Owen Sound with Margo McIntosh

First, here is the letter he is responding to:

Hello,

I cannot believe how some farmers are absolute fools including you and your organization Grey Bruce national farmer’s union for supporting the ignorant ,stubborn Schmidt dude. I am a victim of  Scarlet fever in the past and had to spend 6 months in total isolation and living in a complete darkened room. I lived on a farm and yes we drank unpasteurized milk. Our jersey herd was kept clean and our milking conditions were likewise.

Health officials seize raw milk at rally

From Dennis Langlois in the Owen Sound Sun Times:

Raw milk advocate Michael Schmidt raises a glass of raw milk in a toast to his supporters at a raw milk rally at the Grey Bruce Health Unit in Owen Sound on Thursday October 13, 2011.--JAMES MASTERS/QMI Agency/The Sun Times. Click image to see more photos.

“There may be a legal way to challenge Ontario’s raw milk ban after all — just not the method used by Michael Schmidt.

That theme provides an interesting subtext to a recent Ontario Court of Justice decision in Schmidt’s long battle to open a legitimate niche for raw milk in Canada. A Grey County dairy farmer for more than 25 years and an intriguing character for many reasons, Schmidt has pushed his raw milk crusade well beyond what most of us would consider sensible. Recently he announced he’ll pursue a hunger strike to protest his legal situation, which seems daunting on its surface.