A seven day trial is set to begin today in Newmarket court for Durham area raw milk producer Michael Schmidt.
He faces a total of 20 counts including charges under the “Milk Act” of operating a dairy without a licence, and selling milk that is not pasteurized.
Schmidt is defending himself and says he faces some 6 lawyers on the government side.
Despite that, the raw milk producer is optimistic he can win his case.
Michael Schmidt has received a lot of support in his battle to sell milk from his farm including MPP Randy Hillier who plans on introducing a private members bill in February in support of small farms.
That bill would remove some of the red tape that prevents local farmers from selling their goods at the farm gate.
Schmidt says part of the court case involves his claim that the government regulations are a violation of the charter of rights.
He was fined late last year 50 thousand dollars in an earlier court case, but he refuses to pay it.
Schmidt isn’t sure what the court will do next.
He had six months to pay and he believes they will start seizing some of his property next.
