Dairy

Overview

As of February 2008, NSW had a total of 2,346 dairy licences for operations from farm gate to the back door of the retail store. This includes 915 dairy farms producing 130 million litres of milk each year as well as over 100 dairy factories and 980 milk vendors i.e. dairy product delivery vehicles.

The NSW dairy industry contributes 31% of all packaged milk sales and is also a contributor in the $2 billion Australian dairy export market. (Source: Dairy Australia)

Regulations

General

The NSW dairy industry is regulated by the Food Act 2003 (NSW) and the Food Regulation 2004.

All dairy product factories, vehicle vendors, dairy produce stores, milk stores, milk collectors and dairy farmers are required to hold an Authority licence to operate. All other NSW food businesses are required to notify the NSW Food Authority of their business.

The Food Act brings into force the Food Standards Code and dairy businesses must comply with relevant parts.

The Food Regulation brings into force extra requirements for specific dairy businesses including those below.

Requirements & guides for specific business types

Orders, manuals & codes of practice

NSW Dairy Manual currently undergoing major review, expected to be re-issued later in 2008
Code of Practice for Dairy Buildings pdf 70 KB
Code of Practice for Collection of Milk from Dairy Farms pdf 215 KB
Australian Manual for Control of Listeria in the Dairy Industry pdf 133 KB
Australian Manual for Control of Salmonella in the Dairy Industry pdf 133 KB
Export Control (Milk & Milk Products) Orders 2005

Support documents

food safety program template a template which can be customised to each dairy business (ms word 597 KB)
Food Standards Code - User Guides from Food Standards Australia New Zealand

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