latest on seizure of shareholders' REAL MILK ~ Ontario Canada

[Guest guest]

Raw-milk sharing continues under police watchOfficers and health inspectors monitor sale of unpasteurized milk in Thornhill Ontario CanadaOLIVER MOOREFrom Wednesday's Globe and MailSome members of a controversial raw-milk collective arrived to pick up their weekly allotment yesterday under the watchful eyes of police officers and health inspectors.But the official visitors were denied access to the converted school bus from which organic farmer Schmidt distributes his wares, said a staff member, who added that the officials "fled" when television cameras turned up."They had no paper so we didn't let them in," explained Beverly Viljakainen, referring to a search warrant."They didn't storm the premises. The situation we set up was that if they wanted to come in, they'd have to break in. They opted not to do that." --------------------------------- The Globe and MailThe sale of raw milk has been illegal in Ontario for two generations.As The Globe and Mail reported yesterday, the collective system set up by Mr. Schmidt after a previous brush with the law was not enough to keep police away. His farm was raided last week and he faces a charge of operating a milk plant without a licence. Other charges are possible.But yesterday Mr. Schmidt once again set up his weekly operation in Thornhill, Ont. An old school bus was opened for business in the parking lot of a private school and, through the day, members who have purchased a share in Mr. Schmidt's herd came to pick up their unpasteurized milk.It was not until late afternoon that the police and health inspectors showed up. About 10 in total, they were apparently dissuaded from entering the bus by the 'for members only' sign on the door and asked permission to speak to Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Viljakainen said.The team conferred and decided the farmer should remain safely within the private property of the bus. The standoff lasted about an hour, during which members of the collective showed up with their empty jars and, gaining the access denied to representatives of the Crown, left with their weekly allotment.No spokespeople for police or the health inspectors were available to discuss the reasons for the visit to Mr. Schmidt's operation.Ms. Viljakainen said the distribution of milk was largely unaffected by their presence. "It was meant to intimidate, but it didn't work," she said.Mr. Schmidt has showed over the years that he doesn't scare easily.While on a probation order forbidding him to distribute raw milk, he instead set up the cow-share program and freely supplied the details to government ministers. At the time, he offered his farm as a research site that could supply much-needed data on raw milk.The government has instead stuck to its position that raw milk can be a dangerous source of disease-causing bacteria. Although such milk is available in many European countries and in more than half of U.S. states, Canadian officials insist on pasteurization -- usually by heating to at least 72 degrees C. for 16 seconds.Over the years of his battle, Mr. Schmidt has gained the support of a world-famous chefs, advocates of alternative medicine and nutrition and people concerned about modern farming practices.Some of these backers will join him this morning at the downtown Toronto wine bar of celebrity chef Kennedy, where the hunger-striking Mr. Schmidt will speak publicly about his fight. Also expected to attend is Sally Fallon, an American advocate for raw milk, and Randy Hillier, president of the Ontario Landowners Association.The news conference is also expected to mark the debut of the Association for Free Choice in Quality Food, which was formed in response to the raid on Mr. Schmidt's farm. With a report from Margaret Philp