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Michael Schmidt (agriculture)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michael Schmidt is a Canadian dairy farmer and advocate for raw milk.[1][2][3][4] His story is documented in the film Milk War.[5]

In January 2010, Schmidt was found not guilty on 19 charges relating to the sale of raw milk in the Ontario Court of Justice.[6] On appeal to the Ontario Court of Justice, that decision was overturned. Schmidt was convicted on thirteen counts and imposed fines totalling $9,150 and one year of probation.[7] A subsequent appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal was dismissed.[8]

In 2010, an injunction was granted against Schmidt barring him from distributing raw milk in British Columbia.[9] In 2013, Schmidt was found guilty of contempt of that order and sentenced to 3 months of imprisonment, suspended for 1 year of probation.[10] In 2015, his appeal was dismissed.[11]

In 2011, Schmidt went on a five-week hunger strike to protest the judgements against him.[12]

References

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  1. ^ U.S. raw milk advocates invite farmer on hunger strike to rally Toronto Star. 26 Oct 2011. (Accessed 1 Nov 2011)
  2. ^ Postmedia News (30 September 2011). "Ontario farmer convicted in raw milk case launches hunger strike". National Post. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Hunger strike a needless waste of energy for raw milk crusader". Owen Sound Sun Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Should raw milk be sold in Canada?". CBC.ca. September 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  5. ^ "About Milk War - ichannel". ichannel. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  6. ^ Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, C. H.7, Sections 18(1), 18(2) and 100 (1) Milk Act, R.S.O. 1990, R. v. Schmidt 2010 ONCJ 9 CanLII
  7. ^ R. v. Schmidt, 2011 ONCJ 482
  8. ^ R. v. Schmidt, 2014 ONCA 188
  9. ^ "Michael Schmidt Charges". canlii.org. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  10. ^ "3 Months in Prison and 1 Year Probation". canlii.org. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Appeal Dismissed". canlii.org. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Raw milk crusader Michael Schmidt ends hunger strike after meeting premier". Retrieved 21 November 2014.