Milk article left a sour taste

AS Cork-based dairy farmers, and daily readers of the Irish Examiner, we were deeply shocked that a paper based in Munster – the Golden Vale of Ireland’s milk production – would publish an article (Feelgood, Oct 4) with such a blatantly ill-founded anti-milk agenda.

For the sake of churning out a sensational piece, Sean Duke picked up a selection of inconclusive scientific papers suggesting possible links between milk consumption and certain medical conditions. However, he chose to ignore, to dismiss as inconclusive or to underplay other credible research which show positive health benefits from milk consumption.

Irish dairy farmers produce some of the most wholesome milk in the world, off grass, under stringently applied quality and hygiene standards. The Irish drink more milk, at about 150 litres per head, than all other Europeans except the Finns.

Milk and dairy products make up an important part of the Irish diet, and therefore constitute a vital source of calcium and other essential nutrients.

We regret that your paper chose to raise unwarranted doubts among consumers over such a wholesome and vital part of their diet.

Maybe your writer would be better employed dealing with the real threats to Irish consumers’ health: smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and speed on the roads.

Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner should consider that the bulk of its readership is rurally based, and much of it is involved in agriculture.

Donal Kelleher,

Ballyphilip,

Whites Cross,

Co Cork

Tim O’Leary,

Woodside,

Carrigrohane,

Co Cork

Katherine O’Leary,

Killoran,

Carrigrohane,

Co Cork

Denis Murphy,

Ballyhesta,

Carrignavar,

Co Cork