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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 2

Written Answers. - Milk Testing.

John Deasy

Ceist:

207 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the role his Department has in monitoring co-operatives in the testing of milk, with particular reference to the protein content on which farmers are paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18609/03]

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. Under the European Communities (Milk Quotas) Regulations 2000, the processors are required to test all milk supplies for butterfat content. In all cases, the procedures employed are monitored by my Department.

While there is no statutory basis for my Department to carry out protein testing, it conducts regular checks on the calibration of the instruments used in milk processing establishments for measuring the protein content of milk and also random administrative checks to ensure that this result is correctly transcribed into the calculation of the milk price paid to the producer.

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