HC Deb 27 April 1989 vol 151 cc672-3W
47. Mr. Amos

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the proposal to ban the sale of unpasteurised milk in England and Wales.

Mr. Donald Thompson

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 23 February, at column712–13.

53. Mr. Steen

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what statistical evidence his Ministry currently has to show whether unpasteurised milk produced hygienically is damaging to human health.

Mr. Donald Thompson

The evidence is not so much statistical as scientific. Unpasteurised milk poses a threat to human health mainly because pathogens may be carried by an apparently healthy cow and passed on in its milk. The risk of such transmission is not significantly affected by production conditions.