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Statement in Response to November 21, 2006 Farm Raid (Read about it: The Raid)
Thank you all for coming to save one farm at a time . . . to save one farmer at a time and to save the dignity of us farmers. On November 21, Glencolton Farms was raided as part of an 18-month investigation triggered by an incident NOT connected to this farm and NOT connected to farm fresh milk, the details of which were suspected but never proven. The Government and bureaucrats are now fabricating stories in order to justify their actions against free and sovereign individuals.
In 1994, I was charged and found guilty for exactly the same offences, that is, providing a service to our customers with products that they wanted. I was placed under probation for two years, meaning that I was not to produce and process any milk. During that time, I offered the Government this farm as a research facility for the production of farm fresh milk.
In 1995, I wrote letters to the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Elmer Buchanan, to the Minister of Health, Ruth Grier, and to the Ontario Milk Marketing Board. I notified all of them of my intention to continue the service of providing people with farm fresh milk from their own cows.
On March 16.
1995, the Toronto Star, Kitchener Waterloo Record and the Owen Sound
Sun Times, along with many Farm papers, all carried the story of my
attempt to work together with the Government. When there was no
response, I announced that I would conduct my research independently
and made it clear at that time that, if the farm were subjected to any
more raids and interference, I would go on a hunger strike.
Yesterday’s
event means that I must act on what I said more than 11 years ago. As
of now, I will begin the hunger strike until all of the equipment,
documents and other items removed from this farm have been returned.
The Government has to agree to be financially liable for the personal
property of cow shareowners. As well, they need to agree in writing
that the farm is to be left alone, so that it can carry on its service
to the 150 families, until and unless all of the issues have been dealt
with in court or in the Legislative Assembly or House of Parliament.
This farm
has been able to function for over 11 years with the full knowledge of
every level of government. That it has been doing so has been public
knowledge for over 11 years. The Government of Ontario and the Bruce
Grey Owen Sound Health Unit, including Dr Murray McQuigge, at that time
chief medical officer of health, had all the information at hand. They
all decided to leave me alone. They had two choices at that time: to
arrest me because I broke the probation or to leave me alone and let me
continue. The fact that they left me alone, in my opinion, legalized
this farm’s activities, and made the Government liable for their
actions. A lawsuit from our side will follow, if necessary.
The cow
share programme on this farm enables families to obtain their own
milk. I am providing shelter, feed and care for their animals. I’m
not arguing the fact that raw milk is better; I know it is better; it
is the cow owners’ choice to drink their milk. This fight is not about
me; it’s not about the farm; it’s about the freedom of informed choice
for every individual in Ontario.
We are
farmers who care with our heart for the land and the people. Government
is regulating and controlling the farmers and consumers with
bureaucrats and raw power. Everyone should have the right to own a cow
and drink the milk that nourished our parents, our grandparents, our
great grandparents, and us. Milk is nature’s perfect food. Let’s
restore our respect for the land, our respect for the farmer who cares
for the land, our respect for all human beings who are quite capable of
making their own decisions.
The Queen of
England has just turned down a submission to ban raw milk in England.
She is drinking milk from her own cows. Please, all of you bureaucrats
and government officials, respect our human right to choose.
Michael Schmidt
Glencolton Farms
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