MNR drops charges against Mark Tijssen over backyard pig slaughter

Michael Schmidt, with Mark Tijssen and former Landowner Association president Jack McLaren

Michael Schmidt’s introduction: 

This is an interesting and not really surprising development. Allan Ryan was also there the lawyer arguing on the behalf of the MNR. What is also interesting that in this case no powerful lobby group pushing for punishment at all cost is in the background. Pork is not supply managed. The waste of energy, the waste of time, the waste of resources is appalling to say the least.

Court rules against raw milk farmer

From legal affairs reporter Tracey Tyler, in The Toronto Star:

The Ontario Court of Justice has ruled against raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt, seen here holding up a glass of his milk prior to Wednesday's ruling. TRACEY TYLER/TORONTO STAR

“DURHAM, ONT.—Lola and the girls ambled close to the barn Wednesday, a bit prematurely.

Their keeper, Michael Schmidt, has always vowed to fight until the cows come home for the right to get raw milk into his customers’ hands.

But it looks like his battle will take longer than he expected.

At his farm in Grey County, a few kilometres outside town, Schmidt got a call late Wednesday afternoon from his lawyer, informing him he’d been convicted of 15 provincial offences relating to the sale of unpasteurized milk and could potentially face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

Announcement of Michael Schmidt raw milk appeal ruling postponed yet again

Lawyer Karen Selick with raw milk farmer Michael Schmidt during a visit to Glencolton Farms earlier this summer

Michael Schmidt’s lawyer Karen Selick received an email date stamped 2:23 pm today from a secretary at the Ontario Court of Justice, the same person who has been keeping us informed of the previous postponements, saying that the announcement of the verdict will be postponed until sometime tomorrow, due to computer problems.

Michael will still be there at the blue bus this afternoon at 4 pm, the time scheduled for release of the verdict and also the time scheduled for the news conference, to talk to any reporters who show up. Meanwhile Karen is in the process of sending out updates to media contacts who were invited to the event.

Raw milk decision expected Tuesday Sept. 27th — Ontario Court of Justice

Lawyer Karen Selick and farmer Michael Schmidt talk to the media immediately after the appeal hearing,April 13, 2011.

NEWMARKET, ON:  The Ontario Court of Justice has advised that the decision pertaining to dairy farmer Michael Schmidt and the distribution of raw milk will be sent electronically to the lawyers involved on Tuesday, September 27 at 4:00 p.m.

Mr. Justice Peter Tetley apologized for the delay.

Michael Schmidt will receive the decision electronically from his lawyer, Karen Selick, shortly after she receives it. Mr. Schmidt will hold a news conference immediately upon receiving the decision. Reporters are invited to the blue bus where cowshare owners from the Toronto area typically pick up their milk on Tuesday afternoons. The bus will be located in the parking lot of the Christian Community Church, 901 Rutherford Road, Vaughan (west of Bathurst Street, north of Highway 7). Mr. Schmidt will be present until 7:00 p.m.