Raw milk legislation vetoed in Maine

From David E. Gumpert, on The Complete Patient blog:

“Any politician worth his or her salt is good at charades–you know, the game where you pretend you are something that you’re not.

Maine’s governor, Paul LePage, has given a masterful performance as a supporter of small farms since he was elected as a Republican in 2009. In September 2011, after receiving complaints from farmers about a crackdown by the state’s Department of Agriculture to end a decades-long tradition whereby Maine’s small farms were able to sell raw milk directly to friends and neighbors, without needing a dairy license, LePage wrote a memo questioning the crackdown. He expressed his support for legislation to restore the traditional practice.  (Dairies that want to advertise their raw milk, or sell via retail, need to obtain a license to sell raw milk.)

During the legislative session just ending now, the Maine legislature passed a version of the legislation he said he supported in his 2011 memo, to allow raw milk sales of up to twenty gallons daily for unlicensed dairies. And suddenly, the governor seemed to vacillate, and as Deborah Evans notes in a comment following my previous post, he vetoed the legislation. 

Science-based public policy being eroded in the Canada of 2013

From Carrie Saxifrage, in the Vancouver Observer:

Dr. Katie Gibbs, on Parliament Hill, speaking up for science. Photo via the Vancouver Observer

“Dr. Katie Gibbs has seen her colleagues at the University of Ottawa biology department realize that if anybody in Canada can stand up to the attacks on science, it’s the scientists themselves.

Last spring, as Dr. Gibbs finished up her PhD in conservation biology, the federal government passed Bill C-38, the omnibus legislation that weakened environmental laws such as the Fisheries Act. It also announced that it would cut funding to the Experimental Lakes Area, Canada’s huge contribution to world research on freshwater ecosystems.

These developments awoke the biology department to the need to speak up. They approached Dr. Gibbs, who they knew had attended some protests, and asked if she could help them organize something to bring attention to the devaluation of science by the federal government.

GMO scientist turned anti-GMO activist

From Ken Roseboro, on NewHope360.com

Dr. Thierry Vrain (left). Photo via NewHope360.com

“The “conversion” of for­mer anti-GMO activist Mark Lynas to GMO promoter has gar­nered huge media atten­tion, but Thierry Vrain, Ph.D., a for­mer genetic engineer who speaks out against the risks of genetically engi­neered foods, has far more credibility—and a far more impor­tant story to tell the public.

Michigan demands destruction of 70 “feral” pigs plus $700,000 fine under the state’s “Invasive Species Order”

by David Michael, BSc, MSc, PEng

Should these pigs be killed just because they look different. Michigan seems to think so.

“On this Independence Day we should be celebrating freedom and thankful for those who died, were injured and served in the military over the decades to keep the freedom we have. This is the thanks this 20-year military veteran has received from the Michigan state government and this is an example of those freedoms being lost.

Late last week, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) demanded the payment of $700,000 from a small farm family of ten and the destruction of 70 of their pigs at Baker’s Green Acres, operated by Mark and Jill Baker and their eight children. This action followed Mark Baker’s comments during testimony opposing a new rule at a state congressional hearing where he identified himself as owner of three hogs deemed illegal (because of their looks).

Salmon Confidential Movie & Review; CFIA Blocks Only Independent ISA Salmon Virus Testing Lab

Edited and Compiled by Raoul Bedi, BASc

http://vimeo.com/61301410

A film by Twyla Roscovich

This article compilation is dedicated to ‘Salmon Are Sacred ‘www.salmonaresacred.org  , all its friends and supporters, and to Dr.Fred and Molly Kibenge . Sections A and B provide some background information and analysis about the breathtaking Salmon Confidential documentary , and its leading protagonists. Sections  C and D  deal with some of the current activism , latest research around harmful effects, and  an update from marine biologist  Dr. Alexandra Morton   about the CFIA’s recent move to block independent farmed and wild salmon virus lab testing in Canada  .

Raw milk farmer Vernon Herschberger appeals verdict, seeks full vindication

From Kimberly Hartke:

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund Files Appeal in Wisconsin

Vernon Hershberger appears at the Sauk County Courthouse in Baraboo in May. Photo Gary Porter. Via JS Online. Click image to go to post in which this photo originally appeared.

Falls Church, VA–July 3, 2013–The absolute right to private, unregulated, direct trade with a local raw milk producer is being fully tested in the heart of “America’s Dairyland.” The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund decided to appeal the jury verdict of farmer Vernon Hershberger in the recent case, State of Wisconsin [Plaintiff] v. Vernon Hershberger [Defendant]. The appeal was filed in District IV of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Likely, the case will be reviewed by a three-judge panel.

The “civil rights” of the 21st century?

A copy of David’s latest food rights “digest” as it arrived a couple days ago.

Just received David E. Gumpert’s latest book a couple of days ago. It had been back ordered at Amazon for a few weeks. And while it was a little mangled in transit, all the words seem to be intact.

Back in 2006, Michael Schmidt’s first lawyer Clayton Ruby told him that the legal battle over things like raw milk and food rights will be won and lost in the court of public opinion. And that’s exactly why work like David is doing is so important.