Dear Editor,
The on-farm dairy of Sheldon Creek is definitely a good news story in their ability to market A2 milk to the consumer directly but if the latest study on A2 milk is any indication of the future, then Canadian dairy supply management is short-changing the consumer.
The study called “Effects of Conventional Milk Versus Milk Containing Only A2 B-Casein on Digestion in Chinese Children: A Randomized Study” compares conventional milk (containing A1 and A2 B-casein) with milk containing A2 B-casein only. The study reports that conventional milk exacerbates the symptoms of digestive discomfort associated with lactose intolerance.
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Also, the consumption of conventional milk also led to increased serum inflammatory and immune biomarkers and an increased cognitive test error rate compared with consumption of milk containing A2 beta-casein only.
This study begs the question; Why is there not A2 baby formula and A2 milk available across Canada for infants and toddlers?
The new plant called Canada Royal Milk in Kingston (which according to CBC has received a government grant) has the ability to produce A2 baby formula for Canadian consumers which is supposed to open later this year. At the moment it appears they will only be producing baby formula for China. If this is true and the Canadian consumer still won’t have access to baby formula made in Canada and especially A2 then the ethics of dairy supply management are truly in question as supply management is to supply the needs of all Canadian consumers.
John Van Dyk
Tavistock,Ontario
