Based upon risk management supported by quality science, the Australian dairy industry has developed stringent quality management systems that are underpinned by comprehensive regulatory requirements.

1. the Australian approach
Dairy Food Safety
National Dairy Food Safety Regulatory Framework

2. DAIRY FOOD SAFETY the Australian approach
National
Regulatory Framework
Dairy
Australia
Development of Dairy Food Policy
Relationship of Federal and State Regulatory Agencies
The Australian New Zealand Food Regulation
Ministerial Council consisting of Health and
Agriculture Ministers from the states and
Federal Government level Partner organisations
territories and the Governments of Australia
Introduction and New Zealand sets policies for food Development of policy and standards APVMA - agricultural and
production in Australia. Food Standards for dairy food production veterinary chemicals
Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) uses AQIS AHA - animal health and welfare,
The dairy industry is one of Australia’s major rural industries with disease control
these policies as a framework to develop
approximately 8,000 farmers producing about 9.4 billion litres of milk. FSANZ NLIS - animal identification
food standards.
Australia is the third largest global exporter of dairy products.
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection
Service (AQIS) provides certification for State and Territory
Australian dairy farmers are cost efficient pasture based producers of high EPAs - for measures to protect
exported dairy products and helps facilitate Government level SDFAs the environment.
quality milk. On farm productivity continues to increase through improved market access arrangements. AQIS is also The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary AQIS has arrangements in place with
Implementation, enforcement
pastures, supplementary feed and herd management techniques. responsible for the surveillance of animals, Medicines Authority (APVMA) is responsible SDPIs
and surveillance of standards SDFAs for the enforcement of standards
feeds and foods imported into Australia. for a national system that evaluates and for exported product. AQIS may inspect or
Viable dairy industries supplying fresh milk to nearby cities and towns exist registers agricultural and veterinary chemicals check test imported foods for compliance
International standards and codes of
in all Australian states. As a major regional employer, the industry value- and specifies the conditions of use. with Australian standards.
practice derived from the Codex Alimentarius
adds through the processing of milk to produce butter, cream, frozen Commission, World Animal Health The Animal Health Committee (AHC) All dairy businesses (farm and factory) must
Organisation (OIE), World Trade Organisation develops national approaches for the control be licensed. Individual Food Safety Programs
milk products, cheese, yoghurts, specialised powdered milks and dairy of animal diseases the implementation
(WTO) and World Customs Organisation (FSP) for farms and factories are validated
ingredients. Around half of the total milk production is exported. Major export (WCO) provide guidelines for Australian food supported by Animal Health Australia (AHA). by SDFAs before licences are granted and
markets include Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and The regulation. The National Livestock Identification System compliance monitored through regular
(NLIS) provides lifetime traceability for
Philippines. Development of Food Standards
audits. An annual verification program is
animals. conducted by SDFAs and AQIS.
Food standards covering all foods produced State Environmental Protection Authorities
Based upon risk management supported by quality science, the Australian State Departments of Primary Industries/
domestically or imported for sale in Australia (EPAs) establish and administer regulations
dairy industry has developed stringent quality management systems that are and New Zealand are developed by Agriculture (SDPIs) enforce regulations for
and codes of practice for the protection
underpinned by comprehensive regulatory requirements. Customer needs, FSANZ in conjunction with stakeholders use of chemicals on farms, animal welfare,
of the environment including recycling of
such as consumers, government agencies control of animal disease and biosecurity
food safety and product traceability are paramount drivers for the quality materials and water.
and industry groups. The Standards including traceability.
systems but factors such as animal welfare, biosecurity and environmental Enforcement and verification
are published in the Australian and New The relevant State Veterinary Practitioners
sustainability are important considerations in the development of the quality Zealand Food Standards Code (FSC). The Food standards are enforced in the
Registration Board registers veterinarians for
management programs. Industry quality assurance (QA) programs require all FSC includes the Primary Production and Australian dairy industry predominately
clinical practice.
Processing Standard for Dairy Products. by State Dairy Food Authorities (SDFA) in
sectors of the supply chain to take responsibility for food safety. conjunction with State Health Departments State Environmental Protection Agencies
AQIS regulates the export of dairy products
(SDoHs) and local government. (EPAs) monitor the environment including
The industry works collaboratively with federal and state government to meet importing country requirements
water and air supplies for conformance with
through the Export Orders. Wherever
regulatory agencies and service suppliers to ensure a preventative approach regulatory requirements.
possible the Export Orders are harmonised
to food safety across the integrated supply chain. Potential risks are with the FSC. Surveillance
monitored on an ongoing basis with industry regularly updated on possible A range of industry and regulatory agencies
consequences from the risks. The industry approach is outcome focused, monitor the safety and quality of milk and
science based, non-prescriptive and proportionate to risk. dairy products through the supply chain.
These include dairy companies, regulatory
The national regulatory framework is an integrated system involving federal groups such as the Australian New Zealand
Dairy Authorities Committee (ANZDAC),
and state regulatory agencies, dairy farmers, dairy companies and Dairy
federal and state regulatory agencies,
Australia. Internationally recognised Codes and Standards provide a basis for SDFAs, SDPIs and EPAs.
Australian dairy food regulation.
The Australian Milk Residue Analysis (AMRA)
Survey is an important measure in monitoring
the safety of milk. (See Further information
section for more about the AMRA Survey).
State Departments of Health (SDHs) monitor
the safety of food at retail level.
Disclaimer: While Dairy Australia has taken all care to ensure the content of this Booklet is accurate at the time of production, it does not accept responsibility for any errors, and accepts
no liability if, for any reason, the information is inaccurate or out of date.
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3. National
DAIRY FOOD SAFETY the Australian approach
Regulatory Framework
NOTES
1. In some regions, the regional Catchment Management authority has responsibility for regulation of effluent and run off.
2. State Health Departments have agreed arrangements with State Dairy Food Authorities for implementation of regulation for the farm,
transport, manufacture and distribution sectors of the supply chain.
3. AQIS approves State Dairy Food Authorities as authorised agencies for export regulations.
4. AQIS is responsible for regulatory oversight of importation of goods in these categories.
Framework
Indicates primary responsibility Domestic market Export market Partner agencies Influences
Indicates secondary responsibility FederaI Influences State Government Influences
FSANZ APVMA SDFAs SDPIs 1
EPAs 2
SDoH 3
AQIS SDFAs SDPIs AHA NLIS
Pre-farm
Animals
Water 4
Feed 4
Agricultural & Vet chemicals
Fertilisers 4
Farm
Feed
Water
Agricultural chemicals
Fertilisers
Veterinary chemicals
Animals
Premises and equipment
Milking practices
Cleaning
Milk storage
Skills and knowledge
Traceability
Transport
Milk / Traceability
Manufacture
Milk
Ingredients
Water
Packaging material
Equipment
Cleaning
Skilled staff
Traceability
Distribution
Product / Traceability
Markets
Product / Traceability
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4. DAIRY FOOD SAFETY the Australian approach
Pre-farm
Indicates primary responsibility Domestic market Export market Partner agencies
Indicates secondary responsibility Influences
FederaI Influences State Government Influences
FSANZ APVMA SDFAs SDPIs 1
EPAs 2
SDoH 3
AQIS SDFAs SDPIs AHA NLIS
Animals
Water 4
Feed 4
Pre-Farm
Agricultural chemicals
Veterinary chemicals
Fertilisers 4
NOTES
1. In some regions, the regional Catchment Management authority has responsibility for regulation of effluent and run off.
2. State Health Departments have agreed arrangements with State Dairy Food Authorities for implementation of regulation for the farm, transport, manufacture and distribution sectors
of the supply chain. Producing milk and meat requires a range of Electronic ear tags identify all cattle from Only registered veterinarians can prescribe
3. AQIS approves State Dairy Food Authorities as authorised agencies for export regulations.
4. AQIS is responsible for regulatory oversight of importation of goods in these categories. inputs: feed, livestock, fertiliser, chemicals, the property of birth through to death or prescription veterinary chemical treatments
water, skilled labour and other resources. slaughter. This ensures traceability of the for use.
The industry sees each of these inputs animal’s movements, interactions with other
Potential risks to food safety and Water
as essential to food safety and product animals, and health status through its life.
product integrity from initial inputs such Farm Food Safety Programs (FSPs) must
integrity along the supply chain, so the risks The National Livestock Identification System
as feed, livestock, fertilisers, water and ensure water supplies are of suitable quality
are identified and controlled by a range of (NLIS) provides the framework for the
chemicals are assessed by government to protect animal health and to prevent
standards and systems operating well before identification of all Australian livestock.
and national industry agencies on an contamination of milk. State Environmental
they reach the dairy farm.
ongoing basis. Vendor declarations are required to Protection Authorities (EPAs) regulate the
Feed accompany animals moving off farm or move disposal of effluent, which must be retained
The risk management approach leads
Farmers acquire about one-third of their onto the farm from other properties. The on farm and cannot contaminate the water
to the development of standards and
herd’s feed requirements from off-farm declaration provides information about the supply or environment.
codes of practice and guidelines for use
sources, including grain, concentrates, specific animal identification, health status,
by farmers and the farm service sector.
fodder and sometimes by-products from the access to and withhold permits for treated
food industry e.g. molasses, brewers grain. feedstuffs and veterinary treatment.
The grains and stockfeed industries have Animal Health Australia (AHA) coordinates
HACCP based accredited QA programs for the implementation of national animal health
use by their members to ensure the feed is programs across Australia. These programs
safe for use by livestock e.g. Feedsafe. The are implemented through the SDPIs with the
Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines assistance of the livestock industries and
Authority (APVMA) determines the types of registered veterinarians.
chemicals and their use in the production of Fertiliser
stockfeed as well as determining maximum
State legislation ensures fertilisers are
residue limits (MRL). Vendor declarations
appropriately labelled, and sets maximum
about the background and quality of the feed
limits for elements that may accumulate or
are supplied with consignments of feed to
pose a risk to agriculture over the longer
dairy farmers.
term.
To prevent the transmission of disease, state
Chemicals
livestock disease control law prohibits the
feeding of ruminants with animal material. The importation, manufacture, supplies and
Compliance is monitored by Animal Health use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals
Australia, State Departments of Primary is tightly regulated through Federal and
Industries/Agriculture (SDPIs) and State Dairy state legislation administered by APVMA
Food Authorities (SDFAs). in conjunction with state governments.
Chemicals including pesticides must be
Animals registered before they are supplied to
Australia is recognised internationally farmers, a process involving a rigorous
as being free of cattle diseases such as assessment of efficacy, safety, and
Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and BSE. AQIS the potential impacts to trade and the
manages biosecurity on imported animals environment. An approved label details
and plant materials at national level while instructions for use and withholding periods
SDPIs are responsible authorities for the for milk and meat.
management of biosecurity at state level.
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5. DAIRY FOOD SAFETY the Australian approach
Farm
Dairy farms in Australia are primarily
Indicates primary responsibility Domestic market Export market Partner agencies pasture-based with conserved fodders,
Indicates secondary responsibility Influences
FederaI Influences State Government Influences grains and prepared stock-foods used as
FSANZ APVMA SDFAs SDPIs 1
EPAs 2
SDoH 3
AQIS SDFAs SDPIs AHA NLIS supplementary feed.
Feed Under the FSANZ Food Standards Code
(FSC) Standard 4.2.4 all dairy farms
Water are legally are required to develop and
Agricultural chemicals implement a documented Food Safety
Program (FSP). Core elements of the FSP
Fertilisers include:
Veterinary chemicals • Control of contaminants – physical,
chemical and microbiological
Animals • Dairy milking premises
Premises and equipment • Hygienic milking
• Water supply and quality
Milking practices • Cleaning and sanitising
Cleaning • Traceability and records
Farm
• Personnel competency
Milk storage Vendor declarations are required when The milking shed and holding yards are
These programs are approved and
Skills and knowledge accredited by SDFA before dairy farm animals are sold off farm or purchased from designed and constructed to minimise
licences are issued. Approved auditors external sources. animal stress and injury and for the ease of
Traceability cleaning. Effluent is disposed carefully to
conduct regular audits. All antibiotics and most other veterinary
minimise pollution of the environment and
NOTES chemicals are only available by prescription
1. In some regions, the regional Catchment Management authority has responsibility for regulation of effluent and run off. the farm water supplies.
2. State Health Departments have agreed arrangements with State Dairy Food Authorities for implementation of regulation for the farm, transport, manufacture and distribution sectors through registered veterinarians. Farmers
of the supply chain. must use veterinary medicines in accordance Milk Storage
3. AQIS approves State Dairy Food Authorities as authorised agencies for export regulations.
with label directions, observe recommended Milk is quickly cooled after collection from
withholding periods for milk and meat and the cow and before storage in a bulk milk
All Australian dairy farms are required to
keep records of all treatments. vat. FSC Standard 4.2.4 requires milk to
have documented food safety programs
(FSP). State Dairy Food Authorities Government controls diseases of regional be cooled and stored at temperatures that
(SDFAs) approve the FSP before a dairy significance through a range of legislated prevent or minimise the growth of microbial
farm licence is granted. Approved programmes under the Livestock Disease hazards in the milk. Current guidelines
auditors conduct regular audits of the Control legislation. Welfare standards for require milk to be cooled to 5°C within 3½
farm FSP . animals are legislated by each State. hours from start of milking.
All animals are individually identified from Trained personnel service the cooling
To support farmers with the management of
birth to death. Farmers actively monitor system and milk temperature is checked
mastitis, reproduction and animal welfare,
the health and well being of animals with at the time of collection. Cleaning and
the Australian dairy industry has developed
the assistance of registered veterinarians. sanitising procedures for cooling and
and conducts numerous extension programs
Vendor declarations are required for that address animal health and welfare storage equipment are documented and
animals and stockfeed purchased from e.g. Countdown Downunder, Incalf and implemented in accordance with the
external sources. farm’s FSP.
Risks from agricultural chemicals in CowTime.
Risks from agricultural and veterinary feed and water are minimised by the use Milk Harvesting Skilled managers and staff are required
chemicals are minimised by ensuring that
of chemicals registered by the APVMA with to manage potential food safety risks that
only chemicals registered by Australian Skilled staff use modern machine milking
farmers following directions for use and may arise from the milk production process.
Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines techniques and practices to ensure that
recommended withholding periods for milk Information from dairy companies on milk
Authority (APVMA) are used on the farm. cows are milked hygienically with minimal
and meat. The farmer records the frequency quality and feedback from audits of FSP
Label instructions for use and withholding stress. The cows are usually milked twice a
and duration of use of chemicals. Vendor assists farm managers to ensure the safety
periods for milk and meat are followed. day. Colostrum is segregated from the main
declarations are required for feed sourced of milk. The dairy industry supported by
Records document the frequency and milk supply.
from external sources. educational providers such as National
duration of use.
Milking equipment is cleaned and sanitised Centre for Dairy Education Australia
Trained operators using clean and The health and welfare of the animals
ready for the next milking using detergents develops and deliveries specialist programs
sanitised equipment milk cows. The milk is is paramount to ensure optimal production.
and sanitisers registered by the APVMA. to strengthen farmers’ skills.
cooled promptly and stored until collection Although most dairy cattle are bred on the
The quality of water used in the dairy is
under temperatures to minimise the farm, all livestock must be individually The farm FSP requires comprehensive
growth of microbial hazards. monitored to ensure it does not have the
identified from birth to death to ensure records to be maintained. These include
potential to contaminate milk.
lifetime traceability. In consultation with use of chemicals, animals treated, milk and
registered veterinarians, farmers actively Trained technicians supply and maintain meat withhold periods, vendor declarations
monitor and treat diseases as required. milking equipment. for incoming and outgoing feed and animals,
Treated animals must be clearly identified to milk quality reports, audit results and action
ensure segregation of unsuitable milk. taken if problems are identified.
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6. DAIRY FOOD SAFETY the Australian approach
Transport
Indicates primary responsibility Domestic market Export market Partner agencies
Indicates secondary responsibility Influences
FederaI Influences State Government Influences
FSANZ APVMA SDFAs SDPIs 1
EPAs 2
SDoH 3
AQIS SDFAs SDPIs AHA NLIS
Milk
Traceability
NOTES
1. In some regions, the regional Catchment Management authority has responsibility for regulation of effluent and run off.
2. State Health Departments have agreed arrangements with State Dairy Food Authorities for implementation of regulation for the farm, transport, manufacture and distribution sectors
of the supply chain.
3. AQIS approves State Dairy Food Authorities as authorised agencies for export regulations.
Milk transport operators must have an In peak season, collection usually occurs
approved Food Safety Program (FSP) daily. When production declines, milk
and be licensed by the relevant State collections may reduce to a SDFA approved
Dairy Food Authority (SDFA). frequency.
The temperature and time of transport Prior to milk collection at the farm, tanker
is managed to minimise potential food drivers sample milk for testing by the
safety risks. company. Typical tests include fat, protein,
somatic cell count, microbiological quality
All milk transport operators must have a
and antibiotic residues. The results of the
documented Food Safety Program (FSP)
tests are provided to the farmer and used
approved by SDFAs. Core elements of the
as a basis for payment. If an abnormal
FSP include:
Transport
result, such as positive antibiotic residue
• control of food safety hazards during
or high somatic cell is detected, the farmer
collection and transport from equipment,
is promptly notified of the result and
vehicles, containers and personnel
appropriate action is taken.
• product traceability
• time and temperature controls
• personnel skills and knowledge
Prior to unloading at the factory, the
manufacturer may check the milk for
quality. Typical tests include antibiotic
residue and temperature. If a positive residue
result is detected, trace-back testing is
performed on individual milk samples from
each farm supplier so corrective action can
be taken.
The temperature of milk or product and
time of transport is controlled to minimise
potential hazards.
Tankers are cleaned using Cleaning
in Place (CIP) systems with approved
chemicals and potable water. Visual
inspections of the internal tanker surfaces
and swabbing of food contact surfaces
may be used to check the effectiveness of
cleaning programmes.
Information on the origin of and
destination of milk supplies is recorded to
ensure traceability from farm to manufacturer
and from manufacturer to farm if required.
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