In Ontario, a constitutional (charter) challenge to a national and provincial ban on the sale and distribution of raw milk is nearing the finish. In November 2019, attorneys for the 19 consumers and two farmers (applicants) who filed the challenge, and attorneys for the attorney general of Ontario, the attorney general of Canada, the Dairy Farmers of Ontario and the Dairy Farmers of Canada will argue the case before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in what should be the final phase of the litigation. Among those challenging the ban in court is dairy farmer Elisa Vander Hout whose husband is Michael Schmidt, the one who has done more to promote and increase access to raw milk than anyone in Canada.

The main claim of the applicants is that the ban violates the provision in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guaranteeing freedom of conscience and religion. A brief filed in the case states that the two farmers, Vander Hout and Paul Noble, “each believe as a matter of conscience in the health benefits of raw milk and that they have a duty to provide it to consumers who share their beliefs.” The 19 consumers have purchased raw milk, consumed it and provided it to their families because “they believe as a matter of conscience in the health benefits of raw milk. They further believe that as a matter of conscience they and their families need to consume raw milk because doing so protects their health.”

The case boils down to a battle of dueling experts over the safety and risks of raw milk consumption. Thanks to affidavits from microbiologist Peg Coleman and Dr. Nadine Ijaz, the record in the litigation establishes more strongly than ever that the Canadian raw milk ban is not about public health but rather about protecting the market share of the country’s powerful dairy cartel. Their testimony shows how the science on raw milk safety and benefits has strengthened considerably in recent years.
The applicants’ attorney, Queen’s counsel Ian Blue, points out in a court filing that calling raw milk a public health risk:

• Ignores the fact that raw milk has unique health benefits not possessed by pasteurized milk;
• Is based on outdated and incomplete pathogen prevalence and outbreak reports;
• Misses the fact that over the last 26 years, the legalization of the sale of raw milk (in the U.S. and elsewhere) has significantly increased while outbreaks of illnesses from raw milk have significantly decreased;
• Ignores the fact that in the Western world illnesses from raw milk are a de minimis food safety and public health issue;
• Ignores the role of openness, scrutiny and food safety management programs in minimizing the health risk of raw milk; and
• Ignores the fact that almost everywhere else and in the Western world, the sale and distribution of raw milk is legal.

At issue in the case has been a 2018 study finding that “the rate of unpasteurized milk-associated outbreaks has been declining since 2010, despite increasing legal distribution. Controlling for growth in population and consumption, the outbreak rate has effectively decreased by 74 percent since 2005” (the study looked at outbreaks from 2005 to 2018). The government has not been able to discredit the study during the litigation.

The government’s position during the litigation has been that the prevalence of pathogens in raw milk is reason enough to maintain the ban; this is a double standard applied to raw milk—if it’s not perfect then sales should be illegal. The applicants’ response has been to show that pathogen prevalence alone is not a reliable indicator of risk because of risk-mitigating factors such as the dose of the pathogen (is there enough in the milk to make someone sick); the consumer’s immunological status; production, storage and transport conditions of the milk; and the mitigating
presence of beneficial bacteria. In her affidavit, Ijaz noted, “The risk per serving of foodborne illness. . . associated with consumption of milk procured in its raw state—while not negligible—is significantly lower than that from other foods commonly implicated in foodborne outbreaks, such as leafy green vegetables, ground beef hamburger and home-cooked chicken.”

The government has moved to exclude evidence provided by Coleman and Ijaz, among others, on the grounds that they are biased in favor of raw milk. In commenting on the motion in a court document, Blue observed that “the lawyer’s law is sometimes phrased as when the facts are against you, argue the law. When the law is against you, argue the facts. And when both the law and the facts are against you, call the other side names.” When asked by Blue during cross-examination, two of the government’s witnesses acknowledged that informed consumers should have the freedom to consume raw milk.

Blue, a litigator with 50 years’ experience in the courts, has estimated that there are around 30,000 pages of documents in the case. The dairy cartel has a strong influence in the country, but with a fair-minded judge,
this is a winnable case. Kudos to Ian Blue and his law firm of Gardiner Roberts LLP for providing representation for applicants at a substantial discount.

The post Ontario–Charter Challenge to Raw Milk Ban appeared first on Real Milk.

by Pete Kennedy, Esq.

Update, Fall, 2019: Good news from Canada! The Crown has decided to stay proceedings in its prosecution of Innisfail farmer David Rand for alleged violations of Alberta’s dairy law. Earlier this year the Crown brought charges for the “unlicensed production or processing of dairy products,” selling raw milk, and “obstructing, hindering or impeding [any inspectors] in carrying out their duties” under the Alberta Dairy Industry Act. Each of the charges carries a maximum $25,000 fine. A trial was slated to take place sometime this fall. (See Wise Traditions Spring, 2019 issue, “Canada – Raw Milk Enforcement Moves to Alberta” for background.)

According to a letter Rand posted on his farm’s Facebook page, what the stay means is that the court hearing the case considers the case file closed and has cancelled the fall trial. Rand and his wife Charmaine were told that even though technically the Crown has one year to reopen a case file after the granting of a stay, in practice, it rarely does so. Rand has worked on an effort to legalize raw milk sales in Alberta, a difficult fight to win. Canada remains the most oppressive nation in the world when it comes to enforcement against raw milk sales and distribution, but the stay in the Rand case is a significant step in the right direction.

This article was first published in the Fall 2019 issue of Wise Traditions in Food, Farming, and the Healing Arts, the quarterly journal of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Canada–Raw Milk Enforcement Moves to Alberta

Original Story, Spring 2019: Raw milk enforcement actions continue in Canada; this time, it’s Alberta. The Crown has brought three charges against Innisfail farmer David Rand for alleged violations of Alberta’s dairy law: the unlicensed production or processing of dairy products, selling raw milk and “obstructing, hindering or impeding an inspector in carrying out their duties” under the Alberta Dairy Industry Act. A trial will likely take place this fall; each of the charges carries a maximum $25,000 fine. (For those who would like to support Rand, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up at ca.gofundme.com/dairy-freedom.)

In addition to the charges, the Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a “notice of closure” to Rand ordering him to “cease and desist the distribution, transport, processing or sale of unpasteurized milk or unpasteurized milk products.” One of the grounds for the order was that “distributing, transporting, processing or selling unpasteurized milk products” was in violation of an Alberta health regulation stating, “no person shall create, commit or maintain a nuisance.” Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) issued a second order to Rand, a “notice of seizure or detention” requiring that all milking equipment and any dairy products, including all future production, remain on Rand’s farm.

The charges and the orders against Rand stem from a November 7, 2018, raid on Rand’s farm and a supposed raw milk distribution site in Red Deer, Alberta, by officials from both AAF and AHS as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The officials conducted the raid at both locations without any warrant.

The law in Alberta, as in all provinces of Canada, prohibits any sale of raw milk; there is a federal ban in the country as well. The ban has served as a protection racket for the dairy industry, but some of the farmers making up the industry might want to consider obtaining another outlet for their milk. The Canadian quota system has been held as a model for the struggling U.S. dairy industry, but there has been a tremendous decline in the number of Canadian dairies, falling from nearly one hundred forty thousand in 1960 to fewer than twelve thousand today according to The Globe and Mail.¹

In Ontario, there is an ongoing court case where twenty-one Ontario farmers and consumers have filed in a Toronto superior court a constitutional challenge to the province’s ban on raw milk sales and distribution.² In 2010 an Ontario court ruled in a case the Crown had brought against Michael Schmidt for illegally selling raw dairy, stating that there was a legal distinction between the public and private distribution of food and that informed consumers can waive the protection of public health laws. That ruling was reversed on appeal; raw milk proponents could use a similar decision in the country that is the most oppressive in the world when it comes to enforcement against raw milk sales and distribution.

Supporters of raw milk access in Canada may go to the educational Facebook page for Farm-Fresh-Milk (be sure to include the hyphens). The intention is to show that raw milk needs to be on the policy platform of every party. There is also a website with a petition for Canadians to have the right to obtain fresh milk produced by local farms; to endorse “We Choose Fresh,” go to farmfreshmilk.ca/wechoosefresh.

1. Barrie McKenna, “Canada’s dairy industry is a rich, closed club,” The Globe and Mail, 25 June 2015 (updated 15 May 2018), theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadas-dairy-industry-is-a-rich-closed-club/article25124114/
2. Pete Kennedy, “Farmers & consumers challenge raw milk ban.” RealMilk.com, 19 February 2018, realmilk.com/farmers-consumers-file-constitutional-challenge-ontario-raw-milk-ban/

This article was first published in the Spring 2019 issue of Wise Traditions in Food, Farming, and the Healing Arts, the quarterly journal of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

[include content_id=663]

The post David Rand, Alberta, Canada appeared first on Real Milk.

Raw milk enforcement actions continue in Canada; this time, it’s Alberta. The Crown has brought three charges against Innisfail farmer David Rand for alleged violations of Alberta’s dairy law: the unlicensed production or processing of dairy products, selling raw milk and “obstructing, hindering or impeding an inspector in carrying out their duties” under the Alberta Dairy Industry Act. A trial will likely take place this fall; each of the charges carries a maximum $25,000 fine. (For those who would like to support Rand, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up at
https://www.gofundme.com/f/dairy-freedom.)

In addition to the charges, the Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a “notice of closure” to Rand ordering him to “cease and desist the distribution, transport, processing or sale of unpasteurized milk or unpasteurized milk products.” One of the grounds for the order was that “distributing, transporting, processing or selling unpasteurized milk products” was in violation of an Alberta health regulation stating, “no person shall create, commit or maintain a nuisance.” Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) issued a second order to Rand, a “notice of seizure or detention” requiring that all milking equipment and any dairy products, including all future production, remain on Rand’s farm.

The charges and the orders against Rand stem from a November 7, 2018, raid on Rand’s farm and a supposed raw milk distribution site in Red Deer, Alberta, by officials from both AAF and AHS as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The officials conducted the raid at both locations without any warrant.

The law in Alberta, as in all provinces of Canada, prohibits any sale of raw milk; there is a federal ban in the country as well. The ban has served as a protection racket for the dairy industry, but some of the farmers making up the industry might want to consider obtaining another outlet for their milk. The Canadian quota system has been held as a model for the struggling U.S. dairy industry, but there has been a tremendous decline in the number of Canadian dairies, falling from nearly one hundred forty thousand in 1960 to fewer than twelve thousand today according to The Globe and Mail.¹

In Ontario, there is an ongoing court case where twenty-one Ontario farmers and consumers have filed in a Toronto superior court a constitutional challenge to the province’s ban on raw milk sales and distribution.² In 2010 an Ontario court ruled in a case the Crown had brought against Michael Schmidt for illegally selling raw dairy, stating that there was a legal distinction between the public and private distribution of food and that informed consumers can waive the protection of public health laws. That ruling was reversed on appeal; raw milk proponents could use a similar decision in the country that is the most oppressive in the world when it comes to enforcement against raw milk sales and distribution.

Supporters of raw milk access in Canada may go to the educational Facebook page for Farm-Fresh-Milk (be sure to include the hyphens). The intention is to show that raw milk needs to be on the policy platform of every party. There is also a website with a petition for Canadians to have the right to obtain fresh milk produced by local farms; to endorse “We Choose Fresh,” go to farmfreshmilk.ca/wechoosefresh.

1. Barrie McKenna, “Canada’s dairy industry is a rich, closed club,” The Globe and Mail, 25 June 2015 (updated 15 May 2018), theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadas-dairy-industry-is-a-rich-closed-club/article25124114/
2. Pete Kennedy, “Farmers & consumers challenge raw milk ban.” RealMilk.com, 19 February 2018, realmilk.com/farmers-consumers-file-constitutional-challenge-ontario-raw-milk-ban/

This article was first published in the Spring 2019 edition of Wise Traditions in Food, Farming, and the Healing Arts, the quarterly journal of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

The post Raw Milk Enforcement Moves to Alberta appeared first on Real Milk.

In addition to the charges, the Alberta Health Services (AHS) has issued a “Notice of Closure” to Rand ordering him to “cease and desist the distribution, transport, processing or sale of unpasteurized milk or unpasteurized milk products.” One of the grounds for the order was that “distributing, transporting, processing or selling unpasteurized milk products” was in violation of an Alberta health regulation stating, “no person shall create, commit or maintain a nuisance.” Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) issued a second order to Rand, a “Notice of Seizure or Detention” requiring that all milking equipment and any dairy products, including all future production, remain on Rand’s farm.

The charges and the orders against Rand stem from a November 7, 2018, raid on Rand’s farm and a supposed raw milk distribution site in Red Deer, Alberta, by officials from both AAF and AHS as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The officials conducted the raid at both locations without any warrant.

The law in Alberta, as in all provinces of Canada, prohibits any sale of raw milk; there is a federal ban in the country as well. The ban has served as a protection racket for dairy industry but some of the farmers making up the industry might want to consider obtaining another outlet for their milk. The Canadian quota system has been held as a model for the struggling U.S. dairy industry but there has been a tremendous decline in the number of Canadian dairies, falling from nearly 140,000 in 1960 to fewer than 12,000 today according to The Globe and Mail.¹

In Ontario, there is an ongoing court case where 21 Ontario farmers and consumers have filed in a Toronto Superior Court a constitutional challenge to the province’s ban on raw milk sales and distribution.² In 2010 an Ontario court ruled in a case the Crown had brought against Michael Schmidt for illegally selling raw dairy that there was a legal distinction between the public and private distribution of food and that informed consumers can waive the protection of public health laws. That ruling was reversed on appeal; raw milk proponents could use a similar decision in the country that is the most oppressive in the world when it comes to enforcement against raw milk sales and distribution.

Supporters of raw milk access in Canada may go to the educational Facebook page for Farm-Fresh-Milk (be sure to include the hyphens). The intention is to show that raw milk needs to be on the policy platform of every party. There is also a website with a petition for Canadians to have the right to obtain fresh milk produced by local farms recognized by the legislation; to endorse “We Choose Fresh” petition, go to www.farmfreshmilk.ca/wechoosefresh.

Links:
GoFundMe – https://ca.gofundme.com/dairy-freedom
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Farm-Fresh-Milk-217362812483137
Petition – http://www.farmfreshmilk.ca/wechoosefresh

———
[1] Barrie McKenna, “Canada’s dairy industry is a rich, closed club”, The Globe and Mail, 25 June 2015 (updated 15 May 2018), https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadas-dairy-industry-is-a-rich-closed-club/article25124114/
[2] Pete Kennedy, “Farmers & Consumers Challenge Raw Milk Ban”, RealMilk.com, 19 February 2018, https://www.realmilk.com/farmers-consumers-file-constitutional-challenge-ontario-raw-milk-ban/

The post Raw Milk Enforcement Moves to Alberta, Canada appeared first on Real Milk.

New developments in Canada are indicative of raw milk’s growing appeal to the people of Canada. Canadian citizen, Cory Harris, has launched a petition campaign for the Minister of Health. The petition states, in part:

“We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to Modernize and amend the Food and Drugs Act and the corresponding Food and Drug Regulations, to permit the legal sale of, and/or access to, raw (i.e. unpasteurized) milk and milk products through small-scale certified herd share programs, or other such suitable arrangements, capable of managing any associated health risks in a responsible and reasonable manner.”

This petition is required to be brought before the House of Commons if it reaches five hundred signatures before the end date. The petition is over 3,000 signatures with an August 11, 2016 deadline. The Canadian government is required to respond within 45 days to each petition that is read in the House of Commons.

To get greatest notice on this, we would like to be the top petition on the site. This would send the message loud and clear that it is past time the Canadian government reevaluates its outdated position on the prohibition of fresh milk. Make your stand with us. https://petitions.parl.gc.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-289.

This article was published in the Summer 2016 issue of Wise Traditions, the quarterly journal of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

The post Raw Milk Petition in Canada Gains Momentum appeared first on Real Milk.

New Canadian Raw Milk Petition Grants Producers, Consumers a Possible Voice in Policy

Canadian raw milk is gaining appeal to the people of Canada. Canadian citizen, Cory Harris, has launched a petition directed to the Minister of Health. The petition states, in part:

“We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to Modernize and amend the Food and Drugs Act and the corresponding Food and Drug Regulations, to permit the legal sale of, and/or access to, raw (i.e. unpasteurized) milk and milk products through small scale certified herd share programs, or other such suitable arrangements, capable of managing any associated health risks in a responsible and reasonable manner.”

In Canada, this petition is required to be brought before the House of Commons if it reaches 500 signature before the end date. As of this writing, the Canadian raw milk petition is over 3,400 signatures with an August 11, 2016 deadline for signatures.

The Canadian government is required to respond to each petition that is read in the House of Commons. The government has 45 days to respond to each petition that garners the necessary number of signatures. Once the deadline passes, the petition will be read in the House of Commons when they return from recess.

Canadians have the opportunity to make this the number one issue on the petition site with an influx of signatures over the next two months. This would send the message loudly and clearly that it is past time the Canadian government reevaluates its outdated position on the prohibition of fresh milk. Please sign the petition and ask your Canadian raw milk friends to do the same.

Different than the US, the Prime Minister’s cabinet is made up of sitting Members of Parliament (MPs). These members are elected to their position in the House of Commons and then chosen by the Prime Minister as members of his cabinet. The current minister of Health, which is the designated recipient of the petition, is Jane Philpott. She will most likely be the one who responds to the petition after it is presented in the House of Commons.

As the Canadian raw milk petition makes its way through the proper procedures, there will be many opportunities to ask friends in Canada to share and sign the petition, write letters and bring greater awareness of raw milk to the Canadian public. Make sure to stay up to date on what’s happening by following this blog.

The post Canadian Raw Milk in Parliament appeared first on Real Milk.

Canadian Raw Milk Petition Garners Thousands of Signatures in a Few Weeks

Just a couple of weeks after we originally reported on this petition, the Canadian Raw milk petition has soared past 2700 signatures putting it in the top 12 active petitions on the site.

When we first reported on it, we asked members to send the information to friends and family in Canada so they could sign the Canadian Raw Milk Petition. While we have made it past the initial 500 signatures needed in order to make sure this issue is heard in Parliament, we want to see the Canadian Raw Milk Petition in the top three on the site so that we can show the Canadian government and the Canadian people that a policy change is long past due.

Please add your voice to the other thousands who have signed by going to the petition site and filling out the requested information.

Action:

1. Sign the petition
2. Using email or social media, spread the word and ask others to sign it. Sample wording below.

Canadian citizens are petitioning their government to create meaningful dialogue about raw milk availability. Please sign this petition and ask others to do the same. You do not need to be a raw milk drinker or even a supporter to sign this petition. This is about our rights as citizens to choose the foods of our choice from the producer of our choice.

Thank you.

Unlike in the United States where raw milk is legal in most states, Canada raw milk laws are much stricter making it almost impossible for farmers to provide raw milk to the people who want it.

A recent court case has brought this issue to the attention of Canadians. On March 16^th 2016, a huge rally outside an Ontario courthouse, showed tremendous support for the Canadian raw milk farmers who are providing the wonderful health food to their communities.

Blogger and activist, Liz Reitzig, chronicles the case, the hearing and the farm of noted raw milk farmer, Michael Schmidt. To get a sense of the farmers who are targeted and what the government is trying to do to these farmers, take a look at her article about Glencolton Farms.

For those in Canada who are looking for a reliable source for raw milk, check out the Real Milk website.

The post Canadian Raw Milk Petition appeared first on Real Milk.

A Canadian raw milk advocate, Cory Harris, has started a raw milk petition asking the Canadian government to examine their position on the legality of fresh milk.

According to the Canadian Parliament’s website, once a petition here reaches 500 signatures, the House of Commons will bring it up in session and the government has 45 days to respond. The petition began on April 13, 2016 and is already over 1100 signatures.

Weston A. Price Foundation website sent out an action alert about the raw milk petition last week. They are asking people to sign it and share it with their Canadian friends.

Raw Milk Could be Legal in Canada with your Support

Raw milk advocates in Canada have created a petition to ask their government to legalize availability of raw milk. In the petition, they state facts about raw milk and conclude with their request.

“We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Health to Modernize and amend the Food and Drugs Act and the corresponding Food and Drug Regulations, to permit the legal sale of, and/or access to, raw (i.e. unpasteurized) milk and milk products through small scale certified herd share programs, or other such suitable arrangements, capable of managing any associated health risks in a responsible and reasonable manner.”

Currently, raw milk is completely illegal in Canada even if obtained through cowshares or herdshares. If this petition reaches 500 valid signatures of Canadians by its deadline on August 11, 2016, the petition will be presented in the House of Commons. Once presented, the government is required to respond within 45 days. Of course, we want to far exceed the minimum requirement.

Action:

1. Sign the petition

2. Using email or social media, spread the word and ask others to sign it. Sample wording below.

Canadian citizens are petitioning their government to create meaningful dialogue about raw milk availability. Please sign this petition and ask others to do the same. You do not need to be a raw milk drinker or even a supporter to sign this petition. This is about our rights as citizens to choose the foods of our choice from the producer of our choice.

Thank you.

The post Raw Milk Petition Underway in Canada appeared first on Real Milk.

If you want to see raw milk in Canada widely available, consider supporting this upcoming court case and rally. When people search for raw milk, usually sources abound. After all, it is available in most countries and all 50 states. Even in the places where it is difficult to find, there are still options. One might wonder why there is so much opposition to raw milk in Canada when there is strong support for raw milk in other parts of North America and Europe.

As reported on Nourishing Liberty, famous Canadian dairy farmer, Michael Schmidt, his wife, Elisa, and son, are named in an injunction to permanently cease distribution of raw milk in Canada, specifically, Ontario. Also targeted are the individual herdshare owners as “Jane Doe” and “John Doe.” These citizens who enjoy raw milk government is attempting to enjoin them for distribution or even recommending raw milk to others.

By implicating “Jane Doe” and “John Doe,” for the first time, the Canadian government is allowing it to pertain to anyone involved, including mothers. Canadian mothers are now explicitly threatened with arrest simply for participating in a herdshare. This is a new low, even for Canada, to hold raw milk trial in such a way.

As one raw milk proponent, Angela Kang, says, “What is safe raw milk to me? It is my direct, unadulterated connection to the Earth that feeds my family and me. It is as intimate of a relationship as my relationship with my God. We are supposed to be a country of peace and tolerance and acceptance. No government in a free country should interfere with this. I want raw milk in Canada.”

If you are anywhere near Canada, join the mothers, farmers and community at the food rights rally as they gather to celebrate the connection they have with their food.

Organizers of the rally say, “We envision farmers peacefully feeding their communities so we and future generations may be nurtured by the gifts of the land. And in turn nurture the earth through our inherent connections. The goal of this rally and celebration is to bring this vision to the front and stand empowered to proudly participate in our communities through peaceful food production and food distribution.”

Read more about the case on the Nourishing Liberty Blog, Raw Milk Trial In Canada

Michael Schmidt and his supporters are raising funds for their legal defense. Please contribute on the Michael Schmidt GoFundMe page.

If you would like to help spread the word, here is a Food Rights Rally Flyer with all the details.

Family Food Freedom Rally

To learn more about raw milk and other nutrient dense foods, visit westonaprice.org

The post Raw Milk In Canada Heats Up appeared first on Real Milk.

Raw milk celebrity farmer, Michael Schmidt, and Shepherdess Montana Jones, are threatened with potentially ten years in prison. According to its website, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is charging the farmers with a litany of violations related to thedisappearance of Jones’ herd of healthy, heritage breed Shropshire sheep in 2012.

The farmers’ crowdfunding page, set up by attorney and Canadian Constitution Foundation litigation director, Karen Selick, explains the details, including the need for immediate and continuing funding to keep these two peaceful, courageous farmers out of prison.

In addition to the CFIA ire over the disappearing sheep, various government agencies have attempted, for years, to prevent Michael Schmidt’s staunch support of raw milk and his continued persistence in supplying it to his community. According to Selick,

“Michael is a celebrity in the Real Food movement because of decades of activism aimed at legalizing the sale of raw milk. It’s reported that the CFIA desperately wants to put Michael in jail.”

This case could define the lives of two heroes of the real food movement. More importantly, it will define the movement: will outrageous and draconian criminal charges stick against peaceful farmers whose lives are dedicated to raising animals humanely? Or will the people come together in unity to stand with these farmers upon whom we all depend?

Please donate to the legal defense of Michael and Montana. And, once you have, as Karen requests, please ask others to do the same. Let us set a different precedent than the CFIA hopes to set and send the message that we value our dedicated farmers.

Support the Campaign for Real Milk, join the Weston A. Price Foundation, today!

The post Canadian Government Wants Peaceful Farmers Imprisoned in Sheep Case appeared first on Real Milk.