Monmouth MP David Davies has strongly condemned proposals by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, that consumers switch to UHT (Ultra-High Temperature or Ultra-Heat Treated) milk to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme is part of the government strategy to ensure 90 per cent of milk will not require refrigeration by 2020. Mr Davies raised the matter in Parliament this week with the Business Minister Harriet Harman. He said: "May we have an emergency debate on the fact that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs apparently plans to bully and cajole the British public into buying UHT instead of fresh, pasteurised milk? May we learn whether the Government are prepared to stand up for the Great British pinta, or do they not have a lot of bottle?" Ms Harman denied that the government supported the proposals but a document from DEFRA has already been leaked in which the idea is discussed. Speaking later Mr Davies said: "When I was growing up milk was poured out of a pint sized glass bottle with a dollop of cream at the top. "The glass, the cream and the pint have all disappeared, now it seems that the milk itself is also under threat" the MP commented. "If the Environment Department start bringing in new regulations and tax measures to penalise pasteurised milk it will put dairy farmers out of business and lead to an influx of cheap imports from Europe. "I cannot believe that the reduction of green house gases saved from not using fridges in supermarkets will not be completely outweighed by lorry loads of UHT being shipped over from the continent. "Not to mention the fact that UHT milk tastes completely different to pasteurised milk and would change the taste of our morning breakfasts. "This whole idea is outrageous. I am glad that the government are trying now to distance themselves from it but we need a full explanation as to why this was being discussed at a high level in the Environment Department" said Mr Davies.
