Raw Milk ban proposed for Ireland
Irish Raw Milk Petition
Our unique and current raw milk suppliers map covering the UK and the Republic of Ireland can be found here:
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 at www.sheridanscheesemongers.com
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 contact me directly at [email protected]
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Of course you can always petition your own TD or write a letter yourself to the Minister. You may also download our petition letter from www.slowfoodireland.com and post it to the Minister. Please include your name and address in any communication, or it will not be valid.
Contact the following, preferably by email and by post:
Your local Politicians (click the below link to find contact details for TDs in your area)
http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=31&disp=mem#tabs-3
The Minister for Agriculture Fisheries & Food Simon Coveney
Minister Simon Coveney
Dail Eireann,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
01 6183753
[email protected]
Emails and letters can also be addressed directly to the Department:
Head Office
Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Agriculture House,
Kildare St.
Dublin 2.
[email protected]
For blog articles: http://www.naturalfoodfinder.org/milk-nourishing-nasty
The safety of raw milk: http://www.realmilk.com/rawmilkoverview.html
Join in the campaign to allow everyone right to choose!
