OTTAWA – A federal proposal to ban import or sale of cheese made from unpasteurized milk is threatening to cause a political stink in Ottawa.
The European Union is considering whether to oppose the move as an unjustified trade barrier.
The opposition Bloc QuŽbecois has denounced the government plan as harassment of a small but growing industry in Quebec and a patronizing slap at consumers.
“By going forward with this idea, the federal government would only frustrate cheese connoisseurs by denying access to the fine cheese products they love,” Bloc agriculture critic Jean-Guy ChrŽtien said.
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Health Canada officials have decided that cheese made from unpasteurized milk is a health hazard.
“It is anticipated that (the new rule) will enhance the level of protection for Canadian consumers with concomitant economic and health benefits,” said proposed regulations prepared by Health Canada and circulated in early April for industry comment.
Dairy Farmers of Canada and the dairy processing lobby say they support the idea.
The strong cheese, a niche product with a loyal consumer following, has traditionally been supplied by imports from France.
Now, a small industry of speciality “raw milk cheeses” is starting in Quebec.
In 1994, Canada imported just under two tonnes of such speciality French cheeses as brie, camembert, blue and roquefort.
If the proposed new food regulations are approved after a 75-day comment period, such cheeses would have to use pasteurized milk or go through a process that is the cheese equivalent of pasteurization, to destroy the bacteria that give the cheeses their distinctive taste and odor.
BQ health critic Pauline Picard said the last recorded case of poisoning from unpasteurized dairy products was 60 years ago.
“There is no danger whatsoever in maintaining the present regulation.”
ChrŽtien predicted a black market would develop for illegally-imported French cheeses if the regulations take effect.
