Vol. 529 No. 1
430 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his Department will carry out the protein test, TCB test and SCC tests on milk supplied in view of the fact that the butterfat test is already being carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2191/01]
Under the provisions of the European Communities (Hygienic Production and Placing on the Market of Raw Milk, Heat-treated Milk and Milk-based Products) Regulations 1996, Statutory Instrument No. 9 of 1996, milk processors are obliged to carry out checking for SCC and TBC to ensure the standards set under that legislation are adhered to. The systems involved and the laboratories used are subject to control by my Department.
There is no statutory basis for my Department to carry out protein testing. However, the Department conducts regular checks on the calibration of the instruments used in milk processing establishments for measuring the protein content of milk and also conducts random administrative checks to ensure that this result in correctly transcribed into the calculation of the milk price paid to the producer.
