§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on future policy regarding the sale of untreated milk.
§ Mr. PeartMy right hon. Friends and I have consulted the interests concerned about restricting the sale of untreated milk in order to reduce the risks to public health of milk-borne diseases. We have now decided, as a first steps, that sales of untreated milk shall be confined to produce of brucellosis accredited herds from 1st August 1977. This will minimise the risk of brucellosis infection being transmitted through milk. However, the risks to public health of other milk-borne diseases can be minimised only by effective heat treatment. It is therefore the Government's intention, from a date five years from now, to prohibit the sale of untreated milk for liquid consumption except in areas where an alternative supply of heat treated milk is not readily available.
Consultations will take place with the interests concerned on the administrative procedures for implementing these arrangements. 207W