Milk Tests.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2004

Tuesday, 6 July 2004

Ceisteanna (98)

Pat Breen

Ceist:

130 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his plans to introduce independent milk tests. [20173/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The development of an independent milk testing service is a matter for the industry.

My Department already conducts regular checks on the results of butter fat testing carried out by milk processors. It also checks the calibration of the instruments used in milk processing establishments for measuring the fat and protein levels in milk collected from producers. It monitors the instrument used in measuring somatic cell levels in milk delivered to processors.

In addition, my Department conducts random administrative checks to ensure that the results of butter fat and protein tests are correctly transcribed into the calculation of the milk price paid to the producer.