asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the extent to which his Department is responsible for ensuring that only clean milk, free from bacteria, is sold for human consumption; and whether any, and if so what, indication has been given to local authorities of the action which they will be expected to take towards this end.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality of Milk.
The bacteriological control of milk intended for sale for human consumption in the form of milk is governed by the provisions of the Milk and Dairies Act, 1935, and regulations made thereunder. This Act is enforced mainly by the sanitary authorities but direct control over the holders of licences for the sale of milk under special designation licences (highest grade milk, standard milk and pasteurised milk) is exercised by my Department. The sanitary authorities are responsible for the supervision and control of the bacteriological quality of milk produced or sold in their districts. Persons desiring to produce or sell milk for human consumption must be registered under the Act with the sanitary authority. Local authorities have been informed by means of explanatory and instructional circulars of their functions under the Act and the need for taking the necessary steps for its enforcement.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the proportion of milk supplied in Dublin for human consumption which comes from tuberculin-tested herds; and further, whether he will state the proportion of the milk so consumed in Dublin which is pasteurised.
About 5 per cent. of the total quantity of milk sold daily in the Dublin sale district is sold as highest grade milk and is obtained from herds in which the animals have passed prescribed tuberculin tests. It is estimated that pasteurised milk represents about 50 per cent. of the total daily supply of milk to the district.