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51
A further bonus was given to those who produced milk from
attested herds. An attested herd not only underwent a clinical
examination, but had to pass the Tuberculin Test three times ;
that is, a Veterinary Surgeon made the test twice and this was
followed by a Tuberculin Test by a Veterinary Inspector of the Board
of Agriculture.
The new order of 1936 simplifies the nomenclature of designated
milks, and embodies various improvements towards the
production of a cleaner and healthier milk supply, and it is hoped
that a further impetus will be given to the demand for clean milk.
It is too early to estimate what success will follow the issue
of the order of 1936, but the accredited scheme of 1935, did result
in a great increase in the production of milk from accredited herds.
Out of 149,000 registered producers in November, 1936, 20,000 were
on the accredited roll, but though the accredited producers numbered
less than one-seventh of the total, the amount of accredited milk
amounted to over one-third of the whole milk supply.
The accredited milk scheme, now well established, should
be giving the public more confidence in the hygienic quality of the
milk supply. About one-third of the total output sold under the
marketing scheme now comes from farms which maintain the standards
required to qualify for accredited licences. But it is not so
Satisfactorv that accredited milk is mixed indiscriminately with
ordinary milk, and is not for the most part sold to the public as
graded milk. So far as the consumers' confidence is concerned
the accredited scheme is not resulting in the benefits which were
anticipated at the start.
It has been pointed out by those who have to administer
the scheme that the goal to be attained is the production of a Tuberculin
Tested milk. The necessary clinical examination of the
herd once every three months is only the first step towards something
more secure, the formation of a " Tuberculin Tested " or
an" Attested Herd." Ultimately it is likely that only milk which
Satisfies at any rate the accredited standard—and this is not unteasonable
as a public health standard—will be used for liquid
consumption, and that the remainder will be diverted for manufacturing
purposes at a lower price. A few buyers will now only
Purchase milk that is produced under accredited licence, and
these will become more numerous when consumers have been educased
to appreciate the obvious advantages of milk produced in a
clean manner from healthy cows,