Question
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what factors underlay his decision to consult interested parties on the sale of unpasteurised cow's milk for drinking consumption.
Answer
Mr. Jack: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors underlay his decision to consult interested parties on the sale of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking consumption. [18716] Dr. John Cunningham: After careful consideration of the issues, the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food expressed concern about the microbiological quality of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking and recommended that the sale of such milk be banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Such sales are already banned in Scotland. This is a matter of public health concern and I considered it appropriate to consult interested parties on a proposal to ban its sale.