An Ontario farmer who operates a raw milk co-op has been found not guilty of 19
charges related to selling unpasteurized milk.
Michael Schmidt defended himself last
year against the charges for dispensing milk straight from the cow. While raw
milk is legal to drink, it's illegal to sell in Canada - health officials
consider it a health hazard and say it has a shorter shelf life.
The Durham, Ont., farmer argued the
charges laid against him under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and the
Milk Act are unconstitutional and infringe on his rights and freedoms
"I think it's a social responsibility to look at these issues and be passionate about it," Schmidt said Thursday.
"The intention was never to break the law but to address the needs of people."
Schmidt operates a 150-cow share raw
milk co-operative venture, which allows members to own a portion of the cow to
acquire raw milk.
At trial, Schmidt argued that
government officials and food scientists cannot guarantee the safety of any
food, and suggested informed consumers should be able to buy raw milk.
Food scientists and health experts
testified that mandatory pasteurization laws are needed to protect public
health.
Schmidt was charged after an armed
raid by about two dozen officers and government officials at his farm in 2006.