Hailsham farmers attract wrath of the FSA

Longley's Farm in Hailsham is continuing to go from strength-to-strength with the decision by Selfridges department store to sell unpasteurised milk from the farm in spite of the Food Standards Agency saying the practice is illegal.

The farm, run by Steve and Phil Hook (of Hook and Sons), is a previous winner of Sussex Farmer of the Year award in 2008/09, and was recently shortlisted for the Brighton and Hove Foodie Awards, have been selling the milk since 2007.

The FSA, however, say "In England and Wales, the rules for selling raw cows' milk for human consumption state that it can only be sold directly to the consumer from the farm where it is produced, or at a farmers' market, which is regarded as an extension of the farm

"The farmer can also sell to a distributor to sell to the final consumer from a vehicle which is lawfully used as a shop premises, via a milk round."

The food watchdog added that action could be taken against the farm.

However, Phil Hook said "Our milk is strictly regulated. When we started selling milk on the internet the FSA tried to stop that. They are just trying to frighten us of. It is fine. I've drunk it unpasteurised all my life."

Thus far, Selfridges, which is selling the product via vending machines in their food hall, have said that it is proving very popular with customers.

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