TOWN MILK SUPPLY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26266, 10 November 1950, Page 6

TOWN MILK SUPPLY

QUALITY DISCUSSED BY BOARD

WARNING ISSUED TO PRODUCERS

A warning from the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. H. Blakelock) has been sent to producers of milk for town milk supply whose milk has been low in solids other than fat, that if samples taken after July 1 are deficient in non-fatty solids, there was a likelihood that legal proceedings might be taken against them. A letter from Dr. Blakelock to the producers, and the quality of the town supply, were discussed in committee at a meeting yesterday of the Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Board, which decided to ask representatives of the two milk producer companies to attend the next meeting of the board to take part in discussions about the quality of the supply. Dr. Blakelock’s letter to producers was as follows:

“This is to inform you that samples of your milk purchased from vendors have been found on examination to be deficient in non-fatty solids. “It is the department’s opinion that no producer is justified in producing milk for town supply which does not consistently contain the minimum of 8.5 per cent, of solids other than fat xequired by statute, and that there is no excuse for the present low quality of milk sold in Christchurch. “It is acknowledged that a seasonal fluctuation occurs in the solids content of milk. The period when nonfatty solids are lowest is during July, August and September. Whether milk from any herd is likely during that period to test lower than the permitted minimum can be estimated in advance with considerable accuracy from the quality level maintained during preceding months. There is. therefore. no possible justification for producers waiting until such time as the legal requirements are.no longer being met before taking action to improve the quality of the milk produced. “The department’s view is that an improvement up to the required standard in the quality of tnilk from herds, the overall yield of which is at present of poor quality, can be achieved by introducing an adequate proportion of cows yielding higher testing milk and by better feeding. “Practical advice on these matters may be obtained from the Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture. It is realised that these measures cannot be made immediately fully effective, but it is the belief of the department th&t if action along the lines suggested is taken now, there need be no recurrence of the present unsatisfactory position in future years. “I have,- therefore, to warn you that should samples of milk from your herd taken in July, 1951. or thereafter, be fotmd to be deficient in non-fatty solids, there is a likelihood that legal proceedings may be taken against you.”