Raw Drinking Milk — A Guide to the Law in Northern Ireland
The FSA's comprehensive guide to raw milk law in Northern Ireland, covering registration, hygiene requirements, and permitted sales channels.
View Official Resource →Northern Ireland Raw Milk Laws & Regulations
Farm-direct sales legal for registered milk production holdings. Windsor Framework means EU dairy hygiene rules continue to apply.
Legal Status & Regulations
Raw drinking milk may be sold directly to consumers in Northern Ireland by farms registered as milk production holdings. Direct farm gate supply to consumers is permitted; sale through supermarkets and retail shops has been prohibited since 1985.
Following Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to operate under EU-aligned dairy hygiene rules as part of the Windsor Framework (formerly the Northern Ireland Protocol). This means raw milk producers must meet EU microbiological standards and herd status criteria, administered by the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland (FSANI). Registered farms are inspected more frequently than conventional dairy operations.
Official Government Resources
Official government documents and legal resources for Northern Ireland
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