Question
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many responses he has received in respect of his consultation over the future status of unpasteurised milk; how many were (a) in favour and (b) against a possible ban on (i) unpasteurised milk and (ii) milk products. - (Holding answer 4 March 1998).
Answer
Mr. Charles Kennedy: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many responses he has received in respect of his consultation over the future status of unpasteurised milk; how many were (a) in favour and (b) against a possible ban on (i) unpasteurised milk and (ii) milk products; and if he will make a statement. [31713] Dr. John Cunningham: [holding answer 4 March 1998]: We have received about 5,000 representations about the consultation, which was solely about a proposal to ban sales of raw cows' drinking milk in England and Wales. This number includes letters from Members of Parliament, representative organisations, individuals and signatories to petitions. Views range between certain producers and consumers who want sales to continue, to most public health professionals who favour a ban. A ban on sales of raw cows' drinking milk was introduced in Scotland in 1983.