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36
The Milk (Special Designation) Regulations, 1963
Only a small part of these regulations came into force in 1963 in that after
September 1st, any pasteurised milk may be sold as "Tuberculin Tested, Pasteurised".
This brief measure marks the achievement of a goal to which many years of effort
have been applied and the Press Notice preceding the Regulations bears a
statement that must have given great satisfaction to all engaged in working for
Public Health. All the milk in England and Wales now comes, and will continue
to come, from "attested herds."
Thirty years ago such a situation seemed almost impossible to attain. This
is the culmination of a programme begun in the early thirties. At that time it
was estimated that at least 20% of all cattle in Great Britain were affected with
tuberculosis. A start was made on a voluntary basis whereby an owner could
apply for an official "Tuberculin Test" on his herd after it had been shown by his
own veterinary surgeon to be free from reactors in two consecutive tests during a
period of twelve months. It was then known as an "attested herd". Progress at
first was slow and particularly so in those parts of the country where the need was
greatest and infection heaviest. In 1943 a White Paper "Measures to improve the
quality of the nation's milk supply" was issued. This forecast far reaching
changes in milk and dairies administration. The Government's policy outlined in
the White Paper included the following :
(1) Achievement of sound breeding policy.
(2) Veterinary inspection of all dairy herds at least once a year.
(3) Restriction on the sale of milk by retail in specified areas unless it is
either "heat" treated, "tuberculin tested" or "accredited" milk.
It was decided to eliminate infection in selected areas, gradually covering the
country, and at the same time certain areas were chosen as "specified", in which
only milk from "attested" or "accredited" herds could be sold raw and all other
milk must be subject to heat treatment, either pasteurised or sterilised. After
1954 the designation "accredited" ceased to be used. By the end of 1960 the whole
country was an attested area and in 1962 only 0.11% of cattle reacted to the
tuberculin test, most of them being only slightly infected. The benefit to the health
of the nation from this successful campaign against bovine tuberculosis is
inestimable when we realise that something like 250 million gallons of milk a
year go into the national larder, and that in the slaughter houses tuberculosis as a
cause of condemnation is becoming comparatively rare.
This is only one chapter in the Public Health story and it is not yet finished,
for work must go on to maintain what has so far been achieved, but one is led to
feel that it has been achieved only just in time, especially in view of the present
trend towards intensive production of meat animals—a development that would
have been fraught with danger 30 years ago.
Premises
During the year 3,522 inspections were made at food premises, stalls and
markets and at 87 of these conditions contravening Food Hygiene (General
Regulations) were found. Legal proceedings were taken in 4 cases resulting in
fines totalling £160 with 17 gns., costs being imposed.
No exemption certificates were granted by the Council in connection with
the Regulations during the year.