The Story of Raw Milk
Virtually all Irish milk, with a few rare exceptions, is now pasteurised as well as homogenised. However, in the absence of specific regulations in Ireland raw milk may be sold to the public. It is legal today to sell raw milk from a farm or through retail outlets.
The FSAI and the Department of Agriculture are planning to ban the sale of raw milk to the public later this year. This removes the choice from those who would rather have unpasteurised milk. You can read more about this by clicking on this link to Sheridans Cheesemongers.
Other EU countries, including Britain and Northern Ireland, introduced a regulated system whereby producers who undertake to operate to a specific production and labelling protocols may continue to sell raw milk to the public. We have frequently asked the FSAI and the Department of Agriculture to draw up a protocol for selected farmers who would be chosen to produce the finest milk for liquid milk production. The raw milk would be sold in glass bottles and clearly labelled ‘may contain pathogens’. No one is putting a gun to anyone’s head to buy raw milk but freedom of choice is a fundamental right.
Regulations in the food industry are important but they must be appropriate to the risk. It is estimated the 100,000 people in Ireland regularly drink raw milk. The HSE statistics up to this year do not indicate a linked health concern. Why do we need this new law now? Why can we not adopt the best practice that has been established in other countries that value the naturalness of their foods?
If you feel that we should have a choice please sign the petition below or contact me directly at slowfoodeastcork@gmail.com.
Of course you can always petition your own TD or write a letter yourself to the Minister. You may also download our petition letter here and post it to the Minister. Please include your name and address in any communication, or it will not be valid.
Kind regards,
Darina Allen
Petition to Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Food
To Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin.
Dear Minister,
I disagree with the proposal to eliminate my freedom of choice in the consumption of raw milk. I wish to support the campaign by Slow Food Ireland to prevent the banning of the sale of raw milk for human consumption. I also support the introduction of a protocol for the safe production and sale of raw milk by responsible farmers.
