Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the results of microbiological testing carried out on raw milk by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on behalf of his Department; the results of this testing; the implications for the raw milk cheese sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12605/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Raw Milk Survey is an initiative of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). The aim is to establish current baseline data on the prevalence and characteristics of Salmonella spp., Verocytotoxin producing E. coli (VTEC), Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp. and coagulase positivestaphylococci in bovine, ovine and caprine dairy holdings, by analysing both raw milk and milk filters.

My Department facilitated this survey by taking samples and carrying out some testing on behalf of the FSAI in its laboratories. The results of this survey, which have yet to be analysed, will be useful in informing the decision making process on where best to focus risk based official and food business operator controls in the dairy sector, including the raw milk cheese sector, aimed at protecting public health. The final report on this survey has not yet been published.

I regard food safety as the platform upon which the Irish agri food sector is built, and in this regard my Department will continue to fulfil its statutory obligations and to maintain the highest standards using the best available technology to ensure that Irish food maintains its deserved reputation for safety and quality.