Dairy farmer in court over contempt charge

An Ontario farmer at the centre of a hot debate about unpasteurized milk is expected in court Wednesday, accused of contempt of court.

Durham dairy farmer Michael Schmidt allegedly refused to obey a court order that he follow a York Region public health directive to stop selling raw milk.

York Region lawyer Dan Kuzmyk said the case revolves around liability for the muncipality north of Toronto.

"If someone were to get sick in York Region, were to contract some type of illness that was caused by a milk-borne pathogen, there's a concern at the region that if we turned a blind eye to what Mr. Schmidt was doing that could potentially open us up to liability, for someone who accused us of not doing to our job," he said.

Schmidt made headlines in November 2006 when health officials carried out an armed raid of his farm and took his milking equipment. He still faces a trial related to that raid.

Raw milk taste is real milk taste, farmer says

Despite his legal woes, Schmidt stands by his actions.

"The rich and sweet taste of unpasteurized milk would blow most people away," he said.

"I bet that 90 per cent of the people, who would have the choice by blind tasting, would all go for raw milk because that is the taste of milk and not what you buy on the shelf."

His court date follows a summer of concern over raw-milk cheese in Quebec after an outbreak of listeriosis killed one person. The Quebec government has ordered the recall of 11 cheeses.

While selling raw milk is illegal in Ontario, it is not illegal to drink it if you own the cow. Many farmers drink unpasteurized milk.

Schmidt says he has sold part-ownership in the animals — or "cow shares" — and argues he is selling milking and distribution services, not the milk itself.