Dairy: The Schmidt raw milk case – a ‘crack’ in supply management

That’s one conclusion from a court decision dismissing charges against raw milk producer Michael Schmidt. But others believe it won’t stand up on appeal

by MARY BAXTER

If an Ontario Court of Justice decision to dismiss charges against Grey County raw milk advocate Michael Schmidt stands, it would hold grave implications for supply management, warns one of Ontario’s largest dairy producers.

“It could end our marketing system’s supply management,” says Tommy Faulkner, who owns London Dairy Farm, which milks about 900 cows, and who is also a lawyer.

The Jan. 21 decision follows the 2006 Ministry of Natural Resources raid on Schmidt’s biodynamic farm north of the town of Durham.

Better Farming - March 2010