McGuinty supports raw milk appeal

Premier Dalton McGuinty says the province is right to appeal a verdict in favour of raw milk crusader Michael Schmidt because of ongoing public health concerns.

McGuinty says there's an "overwhelming consensus" among medical experts that raw milk presents real health risks and that means it's worth asking a higher court to take a look at the case.

Schmidt and his supporters say the appeal is a persecution of a small group of individuals seeking the right to make choices without government interference.

The appeal is more political than scientific, Schmidt adds, noting the government failed to present any evidence about public risk during the initial trial.

The Ministry of the Attorney General is appealing a decision that found Schmidt not guilty of violating the Health Protection and Promotion Act last month to the Ontario Court of Justice.

The Ministry of Health raided Schmidt's Durham farm in 2006, resulting in a yearlong trial that ended last month with the acquittal.