Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 8

Written Answers. - Unpasteurised Milk.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

38 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed that a new EU directive in relation to the use of unpasteurised milk may threaten Ireland's growing farmhouse cheese sector; the steps, if any, he intends to take to ensure that these regulations do not inhibit the further growth of this successful sector, consistent with the need to protect consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19419/97]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

I am aware of the expressions of concern to which the Deputy refers.

There is not, in fact, any new EC Directive in relation to the use of unpasteurised milk in the manufacture of farmhouse cheese. The standards to which raw-milk farmhouse cheese must conform are, by and large, set out in Directive 92/46/EEC which was transposed into Irish law by S.I. No. 9 of 1996.

In the case of certain micro-organisms additional standards have been set by my Department in order to limit any risk to food safety and public health. These standards take account of reports from the Food Safety Advisory Committee.

I do not think that the standards being required are excessive or that they will hinder the further development of this relatively new and very successful industry.