§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) whether any testing is carried out to ensure hygiene standards of goats' milk; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he has plans to improve the standard of hygiene of goats' milk; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will list the regulations that cover the hygiene standards of goats' milk.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe wording of the Food Act means that the detailed regulations which apply to cows' milk cannot be extended to cover goats' milk. Consultations on a new Food Bill have suggested that this should be remedied. Meanwhile, goats' milk is subject to the general provisions of the Food Act whereby all food (including drink) must be of the nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser, must be fit for human consumption, and must not be labelled in a false or misleading way. Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of these provisions and for any testing required. In addition, the Ministry has issued a code of practice on the hygienic production of goats' milk.