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35
The Milk and Dairies Order, 1926.
The Order revokes the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops
Orders of 1885, 1886 and 1899, so far as they relate to England
and Wales, and all Regulations made thereunder by
Local Authorities. The main provisions of those Orders and
Regulations are replaced in the present Order by provisions
similar in general purpose but modified in accordance with
the development of modern hygienic knowledge so as to lay
greater stress on cleanliness in all operations connected with
the production and handling of milk (including the care of
the cow) than upon the structure of buildings.
The most important of the new provisions of the Order are
those relating to the health and inspection of cattle, and to the
handling, conveyance and distribution of milk.
The former provisions are contained in Part IV of the
Order and are supplementary to the sections of the Act
(Sections 3, 4 and 5), which involve the inspection of cattle,
and they will accordingly be administered by the Authorities
upon whom is laid the duty of enforcing those sections, i.e.,
the Councils of Counties and County Boroughs. In connection
with the general arrangements for the administration of
the Act and the Tuberculosis Order the Minister desires to
remind Local Authorities of the convenience and economy of
having the same Veterinary Surgeons available for both purposes,
as mentioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries in their Circular of the 15th July. 1925. In a few
cases where Veterinary Officers have been appointed by
Sanitary Authorities for the purposes of the administration
of the existing Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Orders, the
question whether these officers should be transferred to the
County Council at the commencement of the new Order should
be considered at an early date by the Authorities concerned.
The remainder of the Order is enforceable by Sanitary
Authorities. In connection with the administration of
Part VIII (relating to the conveyance and distribution of
milk) it may be observed that the officers of County Councils in
the exercise of their duties under the Sale of Food and Drugs
Acts will have opportunities for observing the conditions
under which milk is consigned by rail (including the condition
and marking of churns), and it is suggested that, where they
have reason to suspect any contravention of the provisions of
the Order, they should notify the responsible Sanitary
Authority. Except with regard to registration, specific provisions
have not been inserted in the Order for the mutual
exchange of assistance and information between County
Councils and Sanitary Authorities, but the Minister feels
sure that all Authorities and their officers will realise the
importance of co-operation in the administration of the Order