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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Jul 1979

Vol. 315 No. 16

Written Answers. - Milk Pasteurisation.

94.

asked the Minister for Health if milk sold for human consumption must be pasteurised in all cases; if not, the circumstances in which it may be sold without being pasteurised; if the consumption of non-pasteurised milk is a danger to health; the estimated proportion of milk consumed in a non-pasteurised condition; and who is responsible for inspecting the pasteurisation of milk to ensure that the process is properly carried out.

Milk sold for human consumption need not be pasteurised in all cases. Unpasteurised milk may be sold in areas in which Special Designation Orders under the Milk and Dairies Act, 1935, are not in force. In areas where such orders are in force milk sold must either be pasteurised or must meet with stringent standards laid down by the Minister for Agriculture. Veterinary officers of the Department of Agriculture have responsibility to ensure that the pasteurisation process is properly carried out.

As to the possible dangers to health if non-pasteurised milk is consumed, let me first say that, if milk which is not pasteurised meets with the requirements of the Minister for Agriculture, it is not a source of danger to health. Raw milk which does not measure up to these requirements is a serious threat to human health. If a person consumes raw milk he or she has a good chance of contracting brucellosis, non-respiratory tuberculosis or enteric diseases.

Brucellosis particularly can be most disabling and have long-term effects. The incidence of brucellosis is on the increase and statistics show that there is a distinct relationship between the consumption of raw milk and cases of the disease. Approximately 35 per cent of all milk sold in Ireland is consumed raw. Of this only about 3.6 per cent is actually sold for human consumption, the remaining 31.4 per cent being consumed on the farm or by its neighbours.

In the long term the solution to the problem lies in the eradication of disease from the herds, a policy which is being pursued by the Department of Agriculture. In the shorter term the problem can best be dealt with by a combination of extending Special Designation Orders over the entire country and health education. Statutorily the initiative in seeking such orders rests with the local sanitary authorities and I will continue with my policy of encouraging them to seek such orders.

The 31.4 per cent consumed on farms represents a much more difficult situation but I am tackling the problem by asking the Health Education Bureau to conduct a campaign aimed at alerting people to the dangers of consuming raw milk.

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