Originally published May 5 2013
Help save Shropshire sheep from being slaughtered by government
by Lance Johnson
(NaturalNews) The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has formally issued arrest warrants for a group of farmers and raw milk advocates who raise rare heritage breed Shropshire sheep at the Wholearth Farmstudio. The CFIA plans to eradicate the Shropshire sheep of Michael Schmidt, Montana Jones, Robert Pinnell, and Suzan Atkinson based on suspicions that the sheep are carrying scrapie. Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affect a sheep's central nervous system.
If the 44 sheep are killed, the breed will be several steps closer to extinction with only 107 registered breeding females remaining in Canada. The bloodline of the Wholearth flock can be traced back to its 1882 descendants that were imported from England. Shepherd Montana Jones has spent the last 12 years preserving the sheep's rare genetics and is standing behind well documented lab results that prove his entire flock does not carry scrapie.
The CFIA's abuse of government power
Michael Schmidt, liaison for the "Farmers Peace Corp" is requesting proper proof from the CFIA for the existence of scrapie in the Shropshire sheep. In hopes of saving the genetics of this rare breed, Schmidt has proposed to the CFIA other ways to handle the problem other than eradication. The CFIA isn't listening.
In response, Michael Schmidt says he'll be working with an experienced criminal and constitutional lawyer to fight all charges and defend the sheep. Schmidt says, "This trial will be a political trial rather than a criminal matter. Whatever the outcome will be, unless we are willing to stand up against injustice and fascistic bureaucracy, we will morally perish as cowards and leave our children nothing more than modern slavery."
The merciless killing of the Shropshire sheep by the Canadian government may be nothing more than a demonstration to Schmidt, Jones, and the rest of the world to not question government policies or bureaucrats. In fact, Michael Schmidt has been a political activist for the past 35 years, always warning others about the growing dangers uncontrollable bureaucrats and senseless over-regulation poses to an honest, free society.
The CFIA safety regulations cause more problems than they solve
In trying to provide "safety", the CFIA, like other government bodies, allows more problems than it solves.
No one got charged for voluntary manslaughter when the CFIA approved Listeria contaminated meat at Maple Leaf Meats, which killed over 25 people.
40 CFIA inspectors did not detect e-Coli at the XL meat plant in Alberta which led to an outbreak
The CFIA approved the feeding of dead rendered animals to cattle, which resulted in the BSE crisis.
Protecting the rare Shropshire sheep
Before the rise of industrial agriculture and factory farming, farmers raised heritage breeds. As factory farming began to reduce breed variety, many breeds became extinct. In the past 15 years, 190 breeds of farm animals have gone extinct worldwide, and another 1,500 others breeds are at risk of being wiped out as well. Sixty breeds of cattle, goats, pigs, horses and poultry have become extinct in the last five years alone.
Shropshire sheep are threatened as well and need protected. Dubbed, "Easy Keepers" this docile breed is known for their sound constitution, extreme hardiness, prolificacy, and longevity. Ewes are excellent mothers and provide abundant milk. They rear easy-to-manage, energetic twin and triplet lambs for many years.
Credible professionals are backing Wholearth's Shropshire sheep
Rare Breeds Canada past President Dr. Tom Hutchinson of Trent University says, "Montana Jones has assembled some of the best, most ancient heritage genetics, so these are not just average sheep we're talking about. This is an absolute genuine heritage Shropshire flock, and Canada cannot afford to lose it. To kill them based on suspicion with no proof or reason, is absolutely ludicrous."
American farmer, author, and civil rights activist Joel Salatin has nothing good to say about the CFIA's action, "CFIA's intent to annihilate the Wholearth flock of Shropshire sheep owned by Montana Jones is deeply troubling. Without credible tests that empirically prove the existence of scrapie, to proceed with the planned extermination is both unscientific and tyrannical..."
Sources for this article include:
http://www.change.org
http://shropshiresheep.org/news-on-cfia-slaughter/
http://wholearthfarm.wordpress.com/cattle-dogs-sheep/shropshire-sheep/
http://thebovine.wordpress.com
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_diseases/scrapie/
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml