Dr Hazel Lynn: Michael Schmidt’s hunger strike is “not a rational way of dealing with the problem”

From Tracey Richardson in the Owen Sound Sun Times:

Dr. Hazel Lynn, chief medical officer of health at the Grey Bruce Health Unit

“The Grey Bruce Health Unit is expecting to hear any day now official word on how it’s going to proceed on new charges against Durham-area raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt.

Schmidt distributed milk at a public rally outside the health unit building early in October. Later tests indicated it was unpasteurized.

Health unit lawyers and provincial lawyers have been considering how best to proceed “to stop this blatant breaking of the law,” said medical officer of health Dr. Hazel Lynn….”

Will Tuesday’s “milk and cookies” rally at the FDA be the “Woodstock” of the food rights movement?

From what David says in the article below, it sure sounds like next Tuesday’s “Mom and Cookies” rally is shaping up to be a defining moment in the history of the food rights movement, maybe a little like the Woodstock music festival was for the generation that came of age around 1969.

From David E. Gumpert on the Complete Patient blog:

The Tuesday “Raw Milk Freedom Riders–Milk and Cookies Rally” is shaping up as a national event. There are car caravans coming from Minnesota and Illinois, as well as protesters flying in from Wisconsin, Michigan, and California, among many other places.

That is as it should be, since the event is about protesting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s prohibition on interstate shipment of raw milk, and the effective criminalization of parents and other consumers who routinely buy it in one state and drive back home to another state.

U.S. citizens urged to speak up for Michael Schmidt and food freedom

From 3 Wheeled Cheese blog:

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A campaign to flood U.S. and Canadian lawmakers with letters of support for a Canadian farmer who was convicted on charges connected with selling raw milk products has spread to Michigan.

Sample letters, contact addresses, and background of the case were re-posted this morning in EatLocalSWMich, a Kalamazoo-area online for people interested in local foods.

According to the website organizing the letter-writing campaign:

Treasa’s chat with Michael Schmidt

Longtime supporter Treasa O’Driscoll recently had a telephone chat with Michael, which she wrote up and sent to The Bovine. Thanks Treasa.

Michael chats with a supporter October 11th while a press photographer snaps his picture.

October 28, 2011

Dear friend of Michael Schmidt,

I spoke to Michael today and let him know that Barrie MPP, Rodney Jackson, has joined a newly formed bipartisan committee of Provincial MPPs that includes Randy Hillier, Greg Sorbara, Jack McLaren, John O’Toole and others. They are determined to persuade the Premier to concede to Farmer Schmidt’s request for dialogue. They realise that Michael Schmidt’s hunger strike is a matter of concern to a growing number of representatives from every party, much talked about in the corridors of power where many agree that Michael’s stance is indicative of the much larger issue of Food Freedom that underlies his tireless campaign for Safe Raw Milk.

Readers write their politicians, part 10

Protesters at the Queen's Park rally for raw milk last Tuesday.

We hear that Premier McGuinty’s office is receiving in the order of 200 to 300 telephone calls a day from people urging him to meet with Michael Schmidt. And no doubt the few letters we print each day on The Bovine are just a small sampling of what Canada Post is delivering to the Premier’s office. Once again, the next time you write to your elected officials on this matter, be sure to send a copy to The Bovine at thebovine AT gmx DOT com.

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Friday, October-28-11

Dear Mr. Dalton McGuinty,

Can you not even hold a dialogue with Michael Schmidt?

Interview with Michael Schmidt on day 29 of his hunger strike for food freedom

Michael interviews Michael:

Michael Schmidt on October 11th, before he lost 30+ pounds on a hunger strike.

M: Let me begin with the question everybody is asking and wanting to know; How are you?

Michael: I am surprised how long a body can go without physical nourishment. I am surprised that I am still able to do certain things at the farm. At the same time I begin to realize that I have reached my limit. My body is not coping anymore.

M. Are you seeing a doctor?

Michael: Yes I do, I am in fact with two doctors who are very concerned and trying to help at least with monitoring the situation. The biggest concern is, that apparently I had a mild heart attack sometime in the last 6 months and that does not help in my current condition.

How bad can it get? — South Nevada Health District raids “a food party”

From Farm to Consumer Legal Defense:

South Nevada Health inspector Mary Oaks "just doing her job". Click for movie.

“When an over-zealous regulator shows up at a farm dinner demanding that food be destroyed as hungry guests await, who do you call? Here’s Laura’s account written as a letter to her guests who had come to Quail Hollow Farm expecting a meal of foods harvested from local small family farms.

This incident shows the value of the 24/7 legal hotline for farmers like Laura who need help…even on a Friday night!  A member benefit like the hotline is available thanks to the financial support of the many FTCLDF members and donors.

Dearest Guests, (You have all become dear to us!)