Ford statement on milk dioxin news

2.45.00pm GMT Fri 6th Feb 2009

Alliance Leader David Ford, the party's Agriculture Spokesperson, has commented following news that illegal levels of the chemical dioxin have been found in milk produced at two farms in Northern Ireland. The Food Standards Agency has not called for the withdrawal of products but said it will continue tests.

David Ford said: "It is worrying that this news is linked to the recent scares regarding pork and beef. There is an obligation on the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health to safeguard animal and human health.

"I would however congratulate the agencies responsible for conducting the tests that yielded these findings, as their work is extremely important to both farmers and the public."