Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2086. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding risk management proposals being put forward by his Department for agreed polymerase chain reaction screening of random samples of raw milk with reference to test method and recommendations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33876/19]
View answerThe risk management approach adopted by my Department in relation to the issue highlighted by the Deputy is outlined in the Raw Milk Industry Guide to Legal Requirements and Good Practice publication which is available on my Department's website combined with the outcome of the FSAI 2019 Scientific Opinion on the detection of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli) in food and the accompanying risk management infographic which details the actions required when a positive result is obtained.
The testing method that is to be used is the International Standardization Organisation method recommended for use in testing for STEC in sprouted seed which is currently the only food product for which a requirement to test for STEC is specified in EU law and for which a specific method is prescribed.
The recommendations of the FAO WHO 2018 Report supports the approach of my Department in this regard.
