MANILA, Philippines -- Amid the scare caused by melamine-laced milk from China, one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's aides is proposing a switch to goat's milk, which she said was the healthier alternative to cow's milk.

Citing studies by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said goat's milk was next only to breast milk in terms of nutrition.

"Goat's milk is better than cow's milk. It's more pure. I am advocating that like brown rice," Fajardo, concurrent presidential assistant for Central Luzon, told reporters at the Palace Tuesday.

"This is a good opportunity for us. The crisis can be turned into an opportunity for these goat farmers," she added.

Fajardo acknowledged that the government would need to invest more to commercialize goat's milk. She said goats from other countries like
Australia, which produces more milk, could be imported to breed them with local goats.

She said goat's milk was initially more expensive compared to cow's milk, but once its industry was developed, goat's milk could be cheaper than cow's milk since goats required less maintenance compared to cows.

The government has banned milk products from China after hundreds of babies there fell ill while several others died after they consumed milk containing melamine, a toxic chemical that could cause kidney failure.

Also on Tuesday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque met an inter-agency group tasked to enforce the milk ban. The group includes representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Bureau of Customs, and the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG).

"The instruction is to file charges against the violators immediately," Fajardo said.