Holgate Mill in York grinds out result with food agency (From York Press)

Holgate Mill in York grinds out result with food agency

11:41am Saturday 30th January 2010

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THE way has been cleared for Holgate Windmill to once again produce flour despite fears that Government legislation may scupper the ongoing renovation of the historic landmark.

York MP Hugh Bayley contacted the Food Standards Agency in December after the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society said rules demanding the addition of folic acid to flour could make any production at the mill economically impossible.

Society chairman Bob Anderton said it would cost about £35,000 to buy the equipment needed to add the folic acid which is intended to protect pregnant women.

Those fears were eased, however, when Mr Bayley was told by the Food Standards Agency that it had agreed an exemption to allow smaller mills to produce wholemeal flour without adding folic acid.

Mr Anderton said: “We do not have the money or space in the mill to house the equipment needed for this additive and this could have prevented us from furthering our plans to restore Holgate Windmill to a working state.

“Thankfully, Hugh wrote to the Food Standards Agency on our behalf and their reply indicated that small mills like ourselves would not have to comply with this legislation if we are producing wholemeal flour which will be our main product.

“We are very grateful to Hugh for assisting us in this matter.”

Yesterday, Mr Bayley visited the mill to see for himself the work taking place there.

He said: “I have been following the restoration of Holgate Windmill for a number of years and it is great to meet Bob Anderton again and to learn the society is a step closer to producing its own flour. “I am pleased the response from the Food Standards Agency means that the Holgate Windmill can now prepare to grind its flour. “This will restore a tradition dating back hundreds of years.”

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