The NSW Food Authority has implemented changes to its dairy farm auditing arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic response.
In a statement, the Food Authority said that dairy farms would no longer receive audits from Authority staff or approved Third Party Auditors.
“The NSW Food Authority will continue to monitor dairy farms through the collection and review of processing information obtained and submitted by licensed processing facilities,” the Agency said.
“The NSW Food Authority will also carefully review the farm management systems in place within licensed dairy processing facilities to ensure that critical processing information, such as milk temperatures and antibiotic residues, is continually monitored for compliance against all legislative requirements,” it said.
“This change to the audit program will remain in place until further advice.”
The Authority reminded all impacted licensees to ensure they continued to comply with existing food safety programs and management systems and that only safe and suitable milk was provided for further processing.
It said the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) had activated a new team and launched online resources to help primary industries navigate the challenges and impacts of COVID-19.
The NSW DPI resources can be accessed via this PS News link.
