§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on current controls on the production, use and consumption of unpasteurised milk in Scotland, giving the reasons underlying the introduction of the current policy and when the policy changed. [16385]
§ Mr. GalbraithThe production and use of raw milk is controlled in Scotland by the Dairy Products (Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 1995. They prohibit the sale in Scotland of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking and unpasteurised cream. Unpasteurised drinking milk from goats and sheep is permitted to be sold only from the farm premises direct to the ultimate consumer. Raw milk may be used in the manufacture of dairy products, in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations.
The sale of raw cows' milk for drinking was banned in 1983, as a result of increasing numbers of cases of illness associated with its consumption. The restrictions on the sale of raw sheep and goats' milk for drinking were introduced by the 1995 Regulations based on the same potential risks but reflecting the small specialist nature of this market.