Letter: Beef-on-the-bone peril

DR H C GRANT (letter, 25 April) gives the mistaken impression that antibiotic residues are present in milk and advises readers to buy produce from organic farmers.

Dairy cows receive antibiotics when there is a need to treat illness, for example mastitis, and this is done under veterinary supervision. By law, milk produced by treated cows must be withheld from the bulk supply for an appropriate length of time to ensure that the milk is free from antibiotics. Milk is routinely tested at all stages, from farm to dairy, and there are heavy financial penalties for farmers whose milk fails these tests.

ANITA BOURNE

Press Officer

National Dairy Council

London W1