Question
Statement on what conclusions he and the Secretary of State for Wales have reached following their review of the law relating to the drinking of raw cows' milk in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
Answer
Mr. Bradshaw: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions he and the Secretary of State for Wales have reached following their review of the law relating to the drinking of raw cows' milk in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [67090] Mr. Nick Brown: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have decided not to stop the sale of raw cows' drinking milk in England and Wales. However, we intend to introduce tighter checks to benefit consumers who choose to drink raw cows' milk. The new measures will include increasing the frequency of official microbiological sample testing of raw cows' drinking milk at production premises to four times a year and increasing the frequency of official inspections of registered raw cows' milk production holdings to once a year. These measures will begin immediately. Raw milk producers will continue to pay for official checks, and we will be putting in hand arrangements to extend the scope of enforcement at production holdings. In addition, we intend that on-farm caterers will no longer be exempted from the charges for microbiological sample testing, and also that the full costs of inspection and sample testing will be recovered. This will necessitate changes to the relevant regulations, and in due course we will issue draft regulations for public consultation. There is already a requirement to label raw cows' drinking milk with a public health warning. We will be putting into place arrangements to ensure this is given greater prominence. In addition, these arrangements will also require that labels on retail packaging, and notices displayed at on-farm catering premises, must include the Chief Medical Officer's advice, which is that children, pregnant women, elderly people and those who are currently unwell or have a chronic illness should not consume raw cows' milk. We emphasise in the strongest possible terms that the industry is responsible, and remains responsible, for the production of safe food. Producers of raw cows' drinking milk must ensure that it is produced to the best hygienic standards.