asked the Minister for Agriculture whether his attention was directed by the Limerick and Clare Milk Producers' Association to the fact that, on analysis, samples of milk taken from the yield of morning milkings in a large number of cases fail to attain the standard of milk fat required by statute; whether, in the same cases, the analysis of the evening milkings shows a standard of milk fat in excess of the statutory requirement; and, whether, in view of the evidence furnished to him in this matter, he is prepared to issue instructions that analysis for the purpose of the Food and Drugs Acts shall be based on balanced samples consisting of equal parts of morning and evening milkings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Analysis.
I received from the Minister for Local Government and Public Health copies of communications sent to him on behalf of the Limerick and Clare Milk Producers' Association regarding the minimum standards of milk fat prescribed for whole milk. This minimum has been fixed as low as 3 per cent. and I consider there is no justification to modify this standard in any respect.
Is the Minister not aware that owing to the practice of the inspectors concentrating on taking samples from the morning deliveries practically all suppliers to the City of Limerick have had their samples found deficient from the minimum standard, whereas it has been established that on the evening deliveries the samples are far in excess of the required minimum standard? In view of the fact that under the regulations these suppliers are in danger of having their licences taken from them while not actually guilty of any offence, does the Minister not consider it necessary to comply with the reasonable request made in the question?
I think that a representative sample taken from the morning milk will be invariably above 3 per cent.
From information supplied to me it is invariably on the morning delivery that weakness is shown owing to the greater amount of milk lying in the udder with a corresponding lesser percentage of butter fat. A number of cattle having been set aside and tested morning and evening and then over a balanced period have given the following results: morning, A. cow, 2.70; B. cow, 2.85; C. cow, 2.95; evening: A. cow, 3.50; B. cow, 4.00; C. cow, 3.40. These figures average 3.10; 3.42; and 3.17, with a milking period of from nine to 15 hours. The same cows over a balanced period, 11½ to 12 hours, gave 3.20 in the morning; 3.35 in the evening, and 3.27 of an average.
What is the morning average?
The morning average is 2.70, 2.85, 2.95. The evening average is 3.50, 4.00 and 3.40. The balanced average gives 3.10, 3.42 and 3.17 from the same cow.
That is too low.