Digital Advance Cuts Red Tape For Victoria’s Dairy Farmers

  • Minister for Agriculture

A new digital regulatory system will boost efficiency and food safety standards in the Victorian dairy industry while helping to strengthen global competitiveness in the sector.

Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today launched the Dairy RegTech 2022 model at Dairy Food Safety Victoria’s annual general meeting, with a $500,000 investment from the Andrews Labor Government to pilot the program which reduces the regulatory burden for dairy licensees and supports dairy education initiatives.

The pioneering model uses digital data collection and analytics to monitor the food safety performance of dairy businesses and has been designed in collaboration with the Victorian dairy industry to ensure global best practice in dairy regulation.

Anyone involved in the production of dairy products in Victoria is required to have a licence and comply with specific conditions. For many licensees, this involves an audit process which focuses on reviewing paper records.

The new digital model will support a proactive approach to meeting regulatory requirements and will include education and incentives to promote a positive food safety culture.

Dairy Food Safety Victoria is currently working with manufacturers and will kick off the new model with the farming sector from next year.

The dairy industry is worth $1.9 billion to Victoria – as the country’s largest dairy exporter, we produce 79 per cent of Australia’s dairy exports.

The Labor Government is committed to supporting Victoria’s dairy industry, which is an important part of the state’s $14.1 billion agriculture sector and a key component of our plan to grow the sector to $20 billion by 2030.

As stated by Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes

“We’re working closely with the dairy industry to make sure this innovative new digital regulation model will help to grow Victoria’s sector while prioritising the safety of dairy consumers.”

As stated by Dairy Food Safety Victoria chairperson Dr Anne Astin

“Dairy Food Safety Victoria is committed to ensuring that the highest standards of public health are maintained by the dairy industry, and that dairy businesses are supported to promote a positive food safety culture.”

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