Promoting the improvement of dairy quality and safety
in the interest of the dairy industry and the consumer




Milk SA
The project relates to dairy technical issues, regulations and standards and encompasses industry
involvement regarding:
- Deliberation of industry regulations relating food safety, product composition, metrological and related standards as well as voluntary industry related standards e.g. animal welfare and related matters.
- Liaison with industry and statutory bodies in terms of draft, promulgated and repealed legislation and effective communication through the Milk SA organisational structures.
- Liaison and consultation on an internal and external basis and comment within specified timeframes via Milk SA organisational structures.
- Report to industry via Milk SA structures.
The organised dairy industry acknowledges the importance of compliance with the law and related standards (national and international) as it pertains to the dairy value chain. The regulatory environment relating to milk and other dairy products is of multi-dimensional nature and involves regulations relating to product composition, food safety, animal health, animal feed, milking parlors, and the transportation of milk, processing plants, storage and related matters such as environmental management and export requirements. Publication of voluntary standards known as South African National Standards compiled by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) are subject to public participation and are also considered as an integral part of the function of this Committee.
Effective communication of regulations and standards and aspects relating to the enforcement thereof is essential, as the dairy industry is required to be fully conversant of current and proposed changes to legislation and voluntary standards on a continual basis. To assist in this regard, the activities of the project are executed according to the Project Plan which is subject to review on an annual basis.
It is important to note that this project is not a duplication of the DSA Project goal 7, Title: Liaison on legislation with authorities and other organisations, as the fundamental difference of Goal 7 relates to the relationship and involvement of DSA as self regulatory initiative with government structures and execution of the law. The Regulations and standards Project of Milk SA relates to participation in the formalisation of draft regulations and standards and comments on regulatory matters, as well as communication through Milk SA in the interest of the dairy industry and other stakeholders.
Project Plan and Activities
Subject |
Planned Action |
Planned output |
Person responsible |
Meetings |
Minimum of two formal meetings per year |
Scheduled meetings as per Milk SA calendar |
J Burger |
Interaction with government and other stakeholders |
|||
Milk SA, SAMPRO AND MPO
|
Reporting to Milk SA |
Quarterly reports to Milk SA and during general meetings of SAMPRO and MPO Communication of information relating to regulations and standards on an ongoing basis |
J Burger |
Milk SA Consumer Education Project |
Regular interaction and scheduled meetings with the project manager |
Regular interaction and scheduled meetings with the project manager with industry stake holders in a harmonized manner |
J Burger and |
Milk SA Customs and Market Access Advisory Committee |
Regular interaction and scheduled meetings with the project manager |
Regular interaction and scheduled meetings with the project manager |
J Burger and |
DAFF:FSQA |
Interaction with DAFF |
Liaison with DAFF and industry members regarding:
|
J Burger |
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DAFF) Directorate Animal Health |
Interaction with DAFF |
Liaison with DAFF and industry members regarding the amendment and update of the current DAFF Veterinary Procedural Notice 20 Facilitating processes to ensure consistent implementation of revised/amended VPN |
J Burger |
Department of Health (DOH) |
Interaction with DOH |
Liaison with DOH and industry members regarding amendment or regulations i.t.o the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act. Facilitating of processses to ensure correct procedures regarding certification of milking sheds criteria |
J Burger |
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI):NRCS |
Interaction with the NRCS |
Liaison with NRCS regarding compulsory specifications and review of metrology standards (weights and measures) in terms of the relevant South African National Standards |
J Burger |
SABS/ISO |
Interaction with the SABS |
Liaison with SABS regarding voluntary national and international standards (ISO) relating to food hygiene and food safety, analytical methods, animal welfare and metrology |
J Burger |
Consumer Goods Council of SA (CGCSA) and other consumer bodies |
Interaction with CGCSA and other consumer bodies |
Communication of industry related standards and requirements to CGCSA and retailers on an ad hoc basis regarding matters of collective nature |
J Burger |
IDF |
Communication to industry regarding latest relevant IDF bulletins |
E Roux (SACIDF) |
|
Codex Alimentarius |
Requesting comments and notification of industry members of latest Codex standards relating to the dairy industry |
J Burger |