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Zhitz INTERNATIONAL November 2008 Update |
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zero tolerance |
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Cllr Alan Procter’s 1998 Crohns Campaign |
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In March 1998 I was a local councillor in Cookridge, Leeds. I had read about the link between MAP and crohns on our new internet service. I decided to get something done and sent a letter about my concerns to my Member of Parliament Harold Best. He wrote to a Minister for Agriculture. His name was Jeff Rooker. He replied to Harold in April 1998. He said that his department’s research had failed to find MAP in pasteurized milk. He went on to say there was no evidence of a public health problem. I was unhappy with the reply and sent a further letter to Mr Best quoting research that was funded by Mr Rooker’s department. It showed that MAP had been found in pasteurised milk. Harold got a further reply from the Minister of State in July 1998. It said that research in Belfast had indicated that MAP will survive experimental pasteurization, but only if present at high enough levels. They thought it unlikely that these levels would be found in pasteurised milk. The Ministry was to investigate this by undertaking a survey. Harold Best informed me that he thought this was welcome news, and I had to agree. On 10 August 1998 the MAFF issued a press release about action it proposed to take. They were to test milk. Jeff Rooker faxed a copy to Harold Best. I was pleased. The next morning I had a shock. The news had broken and there was a good deal of TV coverage. The Dairies were very concerned and as a result of the scare, many decided to pasteurise milk for an extra ten seconds. On the evening of the 11th, I went out to celebrate, and by chance met a woman who was to campaign with me for a couple of years. Her Name was Jane Dowson, who is now a member of Leeds City Council. |
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Alan Procter (L) and Jeff Rooker, now Lord Rooker. In Houses of Parliament, London. |
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A success-Government Decides to Test UK Milk for MAP |
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Date: 23/3/2008 |
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Harold Best , former MP for Leeds North West. He once worked in a dairy. It was Mr Best who convinced the Minister to test our milk for MAP. |