SGP MP Bisschop submitted a parliamentary question to Minister Adema of Agriculture Nature and Food Quality at the end of June to increase the possibilities for selling raw milk. Now it can only be sold directly through the farmer.
On 29 August 2023, the minister comes out with the answer that this will be possible.
Based on a BuRO report on the dairy chain and additional advice from 2022, an amendment to the legal provisions on raw milk is in preparation. On 30 June 2023, a draft of this amendment to the Commodities Act Decree on Hygiene of Foodstuffs was discussed in the Regular Commodities Act Consultation. The main change is that raw milk from animal species other than cows will also be regulated. A maximum storage time of 72 hours will apply to all raw milk and the milk must be regularly examined for the presence of bacteria. These additional measures to be taken by the livestock farmer will allow a widening of the marketing possibilities of frozen raw milk. Selling frozen raw milk in local shops and shipping it to consumers will be allowed. This includes local outlets such as farm shops and retail outlets.
These expanded outlets do not apply to chilled raw milk. It concerns the distribution of farm products. This can be done through collection points but the milk cannot be distributed through distribution points other than the dairy farmer's own. Distribution through other distribution points does not fall under the concept of local retail and remains prohibited under the new rules. The new rules on consumer sales of raw milk are expected to be published in the first quarter of 2024.
