Ontario raw milk crusader Michael Schmidt loses conviction appeal

TORONTO – Ontario’s top court has slapped down an Ontario farmer who has long championed the right to sell and drink unpasteurized milk.

The court upheld a 2011 conviction against Michael Schmidt that saw him fined $9,150.

In its ruling, the court said Schmidt’s “cow-share” scheme – in which consumers supposedly bought an ownership interest in a dairy cow – was little more than a way to circumvent public-health rules.

Schmidt has been involved in a 20-year battle to make unpasteurized milk available to non-farmers.

The province has always insisted the unprocessed milk poses a significant risk to public health.

The Appeal Court said it saw no solid evidence to refute that view.