Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action Her Majesty's Government is taking to fund research into the possible connection between the consumption of milk and Crohn's Disease.
Answer
Mr. Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to fund research into the possible connection between the consumption of milk and Crohn's Disease; and if he will make a statement. [57671] Ms Jowell: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is funding a study of the microbiological quality of raw and pasteurised cows' milk. This study will include examination of samples for the presence of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis which has been suggested as a possible factor in the aetiology of Crohn's disease. The Medical Research Council recently agreed to set up an expert sub-group to steer and monitor the Council's research into various aspects of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease.