§ Mr. Taverneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the important psychological effects of describing what used to be called tuberculin-tested milk as untreated milk; and whether he will reverse his decision on the use of the latter description.
§ Mr. SoamesAll milk now comes from attested herds. The term "tuberculin tested" cannot therefore be retained as a special designation for some milk only. "Untreated" is a strictly accurate description and clearly conveys to consumers the essential difference between raw milk and heat-treated milk.
§ Mr. Taverneasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are being taken to inform the public that untreated milk means the same as the former description of tuberculin-tested milk.
§ Mr. SoamesAnnouncements about the new special designation "untreated" were made by my Department and the Ministry of Health last July and again in September. A further notice, reminding the public of the impending change, will be issued before the new designation comes into use next October.
Producers and dairymen selling raw milk will, no doubt, also take steps to inform their customers that "untreated" is replacing "tuberculin tested." The regulations will specifically permit them to state on the caps of bottles and on cartons of "untreated" milk that the milk has been produced from cows which have passed the tuberculin test.