Is Huon Valley park owner getting a raw deal with display shutdown fears?

A HUON Valley tourism business which offers children a taste of milk straight from the udder as part of its milking demonstration fears it could be shut down in the wake of a swoop by authorities.

Children are given milk straight from the udder as part of a milking display at the Huon Valley Caravan Park. Picture: HUON VALLEY CARAVAN PARK.

A HUON Valley tourism business which offers children a taste of milk straight from the udder as part of its milking demonstration fears it could be shut down in the wake of a swoop by authorities.

Rowen Carter, from the Huon Valley Caravan Park, said two representatives from the Tasmanian Dairy Industry Authority (TDIA) drove from Devonport this week to investigate complaints he was “selling” raw milk.

“The Tasmanian Dairy Industry Authority deemed we have been selling milk and milk products by the fact the tourist has paid to stay in the park,” Mr Carter said.

Mr Carter said, as part of his milking demonstration for the past four years, he offered paying guests a taste of raw milk straight from the cow.

Paying guests can also taste homemade cheese made with raw milk.

“Some people say no thank you, others love the experience. The children especially see it as a highlight,” Mr Carter said.

“This is what Tasmanian tourism is supposed to be all about, tasting the product and getting to know where food comes from.

“But now we have been threatened that we could lose our business over the issue.

“This is more than just a caravan park, we are a self-sufficient working farm.

“When we have excess produce we like to give everyone a small sample such as homemade jam, eggs from the chooks, homemade cheese, junket or fruit and vegetables from the garden.”

Mr Carter said he did not sell any dairy products and about 20-30 litres of milk a year, in total, was tasted by guests who elected to do so.

The park’s fresh milk experience has been put on hold while legal advice is sought on the issue.

A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokesman said the TDIA had offered to work with the park to enable it to meet appropriate food standards.

“In line with the requirements established by Food Safety Australia New Zealand, the TDIA works with dairy producers to ensure established food safety guidelines are being met by local producers,” he said.

“When product is identified that does not appear to be meeting the established standard, the authority will offer to work with those operators to meet established standards and reduce the risk to the public.”

The department said a risk assessment had identified raw cow’s milk was associated with food-borne illness internationally and had been linked to illnesses in Australia.

Acting Director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch on Friday issued a warning against drinking raw milk.

“No matter how carefully it has been produced, raw milk is unsafe due to the risk of bacteria and parasites in the milk. These can come either directly from the cow or from faeces and other contaminants in the farm and shed environments,” Dr Veitch said.

Dr Veitch issued the warning following the Victorian coroner’s investigation into the death of a Victorian toddler from an illness linked to drinking raw milk — which was not sourced from Huon Valley Caravan Park — and information the Public Health Service had received that a local business was providing raw milk to people staying with them.

“Farm visits are fun and an important educational experience and with some care — including hand washing — they can be very safe, but people should not drink raw milk,” he said.

Originally published as Is Huon Valley park owner getting a raw deal with display shutdown fears?