The Second Time Around, the Michael Schmidt Documentary Gives a Highly Political Tone to the Raw Milk Struggle
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 11:13PM I had a chance to watch the documentary about Canadian raw dairy producer Michael Schmidt on Sunday, again.
I was participating as a panelist at a screening of the documentary put on by Slow Food Boston. I had seen the documentary (“Michael Schmidt: Organic Hero or Bioterroriost”) at the Weston A. Price Foundation’s annual gathering in San Francisco last November, and wrote about the loneliness of Michael's struggle.
It’s funny how you often see things the second time around that didn’t stand out so sharply on a first viewing. For me, the political nature of the entire struggle for raw milk now stood out, as follows:
1. The fact that the raid on Michael Schmidt’s dairy occurred in 2006, and was the first regulatory action against him since 1994. We now know, in retrospect, that the latest war against raw milk in the U.S. was launched in 2006 as well—with raids, stings, and legal actions against Gary Oakes and Carol Schmitmeyer in Ohio, Richard Hebron in Michigan, and Mark McAfee in California. Of course, it has continued with legal actions against other producers of raw dairy products as well, in New York, Pennsylvania, and California. Now I find myself wondering: was the launch of the war on raw milk a matter of international cooperation between allies U.S. and Canada?
2. Canadian regulators and dairy industry officials are totally unyielding. I know when I first saw the documentary, I thought they sounded more unyielding than American regulators. The one comment that summed it up for me was this: “We solved that problem sixty years ago.” In other words, pasteurization seems to work, so don’t bother us with new facts. But when you think about it, American regulators by-and-large won't engage in any kind of public discussion on the issue. The Canadians’ willingness to speak out is in contrast with that of American regulators, led by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s John Sheehan, who cower in dark corners, letting their regulatory whips do their talking.
3. It all seems to come down to rights. You watch the documentary, and see the protest gatherings, fundraising events, legislative debates, Michael’s 28-day fast, and you know this isn’t a health issue. The reason: no one is becoming ill! The only example of anyone in the documentary who is sick is a man who became ill from pasteurized cheese. Michael has never had a customer become sick. In the U.S., we know, of course, that very few people become ill from consuming raw milk, but any time someone does, the matter gets played up by regulators and their supporters.
Many of the people in the audience at Slow Food Boston hadn't been following the raw milk struggle, so most of their questions were about the safety and nutritional value of raw milk and cheeses, as well as about the chances of a loosening of anti-raw-milk attitudes. As I mentioned in my previous post, there are indications of enlightenment in a few states. But only so long as those in favor of raw milk access view the struggle for access as a political struggle.
By the way, I was told by the people at Slow Food Boston that the producer of the Michael Schmidt documentary, Norman Lofts, is making copies of the DVD available in exchange for contributions to Michael's defense fund. Call him at 416-523-3220, or email snowyowlproductions@sympatico.ca.
Reader Comments (46)
http://www.federationsoutherncoop.com/albany/Vilsackspeech.pdf
Many milk farmers in Ontario see no problem with drinking raw milk and in fact drink it themselves with some including myself sympathizing with Michael’s cause and believe that the sale of raw milk should be allowed. Unfortunately however Michael was bypassing the milk marketing control process and this is anathema as far as Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO), formally known as The Ontario Milk marketing Board (OMMB) is concerned. Please note that the name change was enacted in a cosmetic attempt to improve its stereotyped image in the eyes of the media and public.
The board claims to be owned and operated by farmers although I choose to differ. The board in fact acquired its power via legislation for the sole purpose of control. It is subject to and is highly manipulated by government and processors alike. The farmers elected to serve on the board are merely figureheads of a government established organization.
Today there is a mere fraction of the number of milk produces compared to that which existed in the province of Ontario in the 1960’s when the milk marketing board was first established. This speaks volumes in terms of political intent and sincerity with respect to the family farm. With the help of the marketing board the government has and continues to whittle away at the family farm and their success stems from their ability to divide and conquer. I was just a kid in the 1960’s yet I can remember my dad voicing his disapproval with the marketing board and the tactics being used to assimilate and control the supply of milk. What is happening in the USA is no different they are simply going about it in a somewhat different way.
I share David’s query as to the possibility of “international cooperation” between Canada and the US. However considering what’s going on in both countries with respect to animal identification etc., it appears that there is extensive and ongoing cooperation for control of the agriculture industry as a whole.
Ken Conrad
I can appreciate that you are cheered by the breathing room that might come from a policy change, but really, are we to be so glad that the controlling forces deign to “allow” us, at this particular time, and in this particular arena, to act in this particular lawful way?
Real hopefulness would be, to me, far more fitting if there were some glimmer of change in the paradigm that presumes the right of government to direct and control its citizens’ lawful behaviors. It is especially depressing to think that our right to obtain the food (food!) we desire may be minimally unearthed because the president’s wife has discovered that it might actually help her own daughter.
OpEdNews Monsanto's dream bill, HR875
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Monsanto-s-dream-bill-HR-by-Linn-Cohen-Cole-090309-337.html
The only support wanted by the farmers I know is just to be left alone. That would cost nothing the savings could then be used in the further bailouts that are coming.
I think a brutal economic fact is also at play here, namely, the precipitous drop in local property values and income are operating to shrink government resources which depend on taxes from these sources. We're already seeing the contraction of local government functions here in Michigan. Regulations and inspections will likely be some of the first to go. It is an opportune time to argue that the regulation and inspection of activities like small local farms should be eliminated.
Bob Hayles: I think you are vindicated.
I attended and spoke during SB 362 informational hearings held in Sac CA yesterday. SB 362 would make changes to the 40 year old antiquated CA Milk Pool market order that is not working to protect CA milk markets.
With CA milk producers recieving about 85 cents per gallon ( $9.64 per gallon ) the milk situation in CA is desparate. Dairymen have committed suicide and milk is being dumped by the truck load everyday.
there are several changes being contemplated to help dairymen in CA and make the system better and update it.
One of the things that SB 362 would do is exclude raw dairy producers from the milk pool. Currently OPDC pays about $15,000 per month into a pool system and can not draw one gallon of milk from that pool. Never before in the history of the milkpool have raw dairies every been included into it.
So it seems that justice for OPDC will finally be comming our way for once.
It struck me so hard yesterday just how scared dairymen were to speak out. Their handlers and political representatives did their bidding...but they themselves even though they were asked to speak mostly did not even show up. Albert Straus was not there....he was badly needed. When I spoke with him last month he was so supportive and happy that change would finnally happen. Just two other dairymen did show and told their stories...but did so in very dampened tones and with tails between their legs. What ever happened to being a little convincing and passionate and demanding fairness? Like you mean it and it hurts. We must engage the poltical process to win this war. It is being opened to us but we must show up....and show some guts.
As far as raw milk on the national political scene is concerned...please watch www.foodmatters.tv the piece really talks to health and nutrition as the juxta position to drugs and illness capitalism. Well done....please view it. A must see....
I see a nutrition revolution happening soon in WA DC. Michele Obama is one of us and we need to get her attention. Clinton spoke of prevention and nutrition last evening when being interviewed by Dr. Sangi Gupta as essential to making our national helath care system work....if we do not prevent illness we can not afford treatment of illness in the future....this from President Clintons lips. Now the question is what is nutrition....the food fght begins.
The time is right. Lets connect to Michele and get our nutritional word out anyway we can. Nutrition and immunity are the basis of prevention and sustainable medicine.
Hypocrates said it best..."first, do no harm....and let food be your medicine, and let medicine be your food".
Mark
Maybe this video will help you to understand why so many of us are serious about our access to real food and why we don't trust the government or the pharmaceutical industry.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5412136843859172148&ei=-Ai5SZbwL57OqwKuoYWyAg&q=mycoplasma+garth+nicolson&hl=en&emb=1
When he talks about lipid replacement therapy to treat chronic fatigue,he is talking about high quality fats found in real living foods like unpasteurized whole milk and butter made from the cream.
Yes. Just a few shouldn’t matter. Why focus on that? In the event anyone is curious what the life long consequences could be for a 6 year old ingesting E.coli 0157:H7, you know, those few that get played up by the regulators, you can read a story about a young girl that became ill in 1990. She’s now 23 years old. All was well with her heath until her senior year, and then….
http://www.safetables.org/victim_wall/display.cfm?id=47
cp
Is good nutrition even taught in schools? When I had home ec, we were taught how to open a boxed cake and add eggs, oil and bake it and the frosting came out of a box too. We were taught wonderful things to do with canned soups. Never did anyone say, read the label. or know what you are eating. It would appear that "good nutrition" is in the eye of the beholder.
it is a battle of rights.
The RIGHT to FREELY CHOOSE or the RIGHT to FREELY REJECT is becoming more precious and more important every day.
Bill Proposes Restrictions on Raw Milk Sales NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/nyregion/connecticut/15milkct.html?
I agree with Mr. Gumpert - milk is an inherently political issue. So if that is the defined battleground, (and we do need to define the battleground - they have been skillful sucking us into a losing germophobic discussion - we'll never win that one....they already have...)
We can't argue for raw milk; the Powers That Be deny the science, and they control the agenda. But if we focus on freedom of choice, which is clearly on the agenda, and always has been, they are standing in a huge sinkhole. We are citizens of the USA. We demand freedom. Who will stand up and say outright this is no longer a free country? I pity that poor sucker... Just watch those civilians rise up!
We have talked ourselves blue in the face to the opponents of legalizing raw milk, trying to bow to civilized, respectful dialogue. We do, but they don't... There has been intelligent, scientific, cogent, passionate and inspiring posts on both sides. (Well mostly on our side, but I still give grudging bows to CP and Lykke - if nothing else, you got to admire their perseverance here. They have suffered abuse, and they're still here. They either get paid for this, or they fervently believe that raw milk is a public threat. Don't ask me why, after all this dialogue...seriously, I can't understand their agenda., if they have read any of the offered links. Course, got to admit I ignored CP's link tonight... Sorry! Guility! I just think I've seen it all before, many times...)
What say you, CP and Lykke, to freedom of choice???? You can have your encapsulated probiotics, your faith in the FDA, your adamant insistence that nobody should drink raw milk - Will you give a grudging nod to our choice, our faith in ma nature, our knowledge of our milk sources, and our insistence that any American has the right to choose their poison?
We can have alcohol, cigarettes, Aspartame, MSG, fast food and 3,000 other FDA-approved poisons that are legal. It's your choice. Some of us think those are bad, but we're just fighting for the right to choose.
Seems to be common ground here. I think most of us believe we still live in a free country. At least, so far?
I will not disrespect your pasteurized milk any longer - that is your choice, and I allow that some of it may be harmless, especially if fermented. Oops sorry - that was a bad judgmental statement. Drink whatever you want, whenever you want it! It's your right, and your choice!
Here's to Freedom! Agreed?
-Blair
I’ve provided another link for an alternative to raw milk. Read all the claims listed. Does it sound familiar? She was at this year’s WAPF conference. I’m not trying to deny you of your choice. I’m trying to make you think. And believe me when I say I don’t get paid to comment on this blog.
https://shop.bodyecology.com:443/prodinfo.asp?number=BE305
cp
Or do you think that the government should choose for us?
Our struggle distills down to FREEDOM of Choise.
Perhaps our first question to all antiraw dairy folks should be will you support EVERYONES FREEDOM OF CHOISE. Their answer will then define which battlefield we are on.
If you look at the world from the point of view of the microscopic life,which I believe is behind everything that takes place,you will find lots of interesting information.Try seaching google videos for mycoplasmas or any other microbe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJJA9sWT6Qg