21 January 1999: MILK - New Milk Hygiene Regulations

New Milk Hygiene Regulations

The most significant changes to the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 are:

• the removal of certain derogations for traditional dairy products to reflect EC developments. This does not affect the production of traditional cheeses by current practices;
• the introduction of new somatic cell count standards for raw buffaloes' milk, and the introduction of a new requirement for purchasers and processors of raw milk to notify enforcement officers when somatic cell and bacterial standards are breached;
• the introduction of an extended power so that the Minister may cancel a production holding's registration when statutory sampling of raw cows' drinking milk is obstructed.

A draft Regulatory Impact Assessment, which indicates that there is unlikely to be any significant impact on the dairy industry as a result of this consolidation, has been issued for comment. The closing date for responses is 23 April 1999.

The draft Regulations are accompanied by a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment and revised draft statutory Code of Practice (No 18) and Guidance for enforcement officers.

Directive 92/46/EEC was adopted in June 1992 (OJ Reference L268 14.9.92). Subsequent amendments are listed in Schedule 2 to the proposed Regulations.

The new Regulations will replace and revoke the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995, as amended.

Somatic cells are white blood cells that enter the udder to fight infection.

The Minister announced the outcome of the review of raw cows' drinking milk policy in MAFF press release 23/99 dated 20 January 1999. The legislative changes required as a result of the review will be the subject of separate consultations.

Comments on the proposals, the Regulatory Impact Assessment and the draft Code of Practice and Guidance should be sent to: Miss Catherine Davies, Food Hygiene Division, MAFF, JFSSG, Room 429A, Ergon House, c/o Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P, 3JR. (Fax No 0171 238 6745)

Responses should arrive no later than 23 April 1999.