Short shelf life for raw milk debate

A private member's resolution calling for an investigation into a provincial ban on selling raw milk has been defeated, but the dairy farmer who first raised the issue isn't planning to give up that easily.

The resolution, which asked for an all-party committee to review the question of unpasteurized milk, failed to win support Thursday.

Tory MPP Bill Murdoch introduced the motion in the Ontario legislature after the province cracked down on a rogue dairy farmer accused of illegally providing families with unpasteurized milk.

Farmer Michael Schmidt has vowed to continue his fight and his now 15-day-long hunger strike in protest of the law.

Under provincial legislation dating back to the 1930s, it is illegal to sell or provide raw milk.

Health authorities say milk must be pasteurized to eliminate potentially lethal disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella.

Charges against Schmidt in late November stirred up debate about the law and several high-profile people, including celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy, came out in support of the man's fight against what Schmidt calls an "ancient" law.

Schmidt provides milk to about 150 families, many of them living in Toronto.

All individuals co-own the cattle at Schmidt's farm in a shareholder-style system used to skirt the law.