I’m all for government oversight of industry in order to prevent dangerous products from being released to an unsuspecting public. However, the operative work is unsuspecting.
When the public is fully informed of the possible health effects of the product they are consuming, and when the health effects of the alternatives are in question as well, is the government really doing us a service in preventing a wanted product from coming to market?
The issue at hand is the Ontario Government shutting down the operation of Michael Schmidt’s organic farm, saying that it is illegal for him to market raw milk to his informed customers.
The following letter, published this morning in the Toronto Star, sums up very nicely how I view this one.
The provincial government’s raid on Michael Schmidt’s organic farm is outrageous. Raw milk is one of nature’s perfect foods, containing important enzymes that facilitate the digestion of the nutrients in milk. The denatured, pasteurized version most of us are forced to purchase is devoid of these natural components and is one of the reasons why so many people are unable to digest milk products and develop allergies and various other health problems.
Schmidt’s customers know this truth and make a conscious, informed choice when they invest in his operation and buy his products. He is not forcing his products on anyone. Our governments give their blessing to countless toxic chemicals being dumped on our farm fields and into animal feed every day, with terrible consequences for consumers’ health. But they go after one small farmer who produces a product that supports human health instead of destroying it. Where is the logic and justice in this?
I am appalled that those of us who want natural, unprocessed foods for ourselves and our families are facing constant harassment from uninformed government agencies forcing their evil agendas on the public.
I demand the provincial government immediately return all of this farmer’s equipment and allow him to continue producing a perfectly healthy and natural food for the customers who want it.
Simone Gabbay,
Holistic nutritionist, Toronto
