The reforms are rumoured to be tabled in parliament this month, combining the long-standing Dairy Food Safety Victoria and other regulatory bodies, into a single multi-industry regulator; Food Safety Victoria.
The council’s chair, Ben Bennett, has expressed disapproval of the reforms, and concerns that the changes will weaken the regulator’s food safety credentials.
“Victoria’s dairy industry operates under one of the strongest and most trusted food safety systems in the world,” Mr Bennett said.
“There are no suggestions of systemic failure, quite the contrary, and no case has been made that the proposed changes will improve food safety outcomes for Victorian dairy.
“We do not support dismantling a dedicated dairy regulator in the absence of demonstrated market failure or a clear net public benefit.”
The Office of the Premier told Country News that the reforms are not breaking new ground.
“Reform will align Victoria with most internationally comparable countries with a strong agri-food sector, and with Queensland and New South Wales in having a consolidated food safety regulator.
“It will deliver early benefits, including streamlined administration and a single, clear point of contact, making it easier for businesses to work with government.”
Victorian farmers produce 63 per cent of Australia’s milk, and 72 per cent of the nation’s dairy exports by volume.
The council said that over 2500 farms and 17,000 jobs fall under the jurisdiction of the current regulatory body, relying on its industry-specific expertise.
Australian Dairy Product Federation chief executive officer Janine Waller told Country News that this specific expertise was important to ensuring food safety.
“We're a perishable product, so we need that time responsiveness.
“You need that expertise in dairy, and potentially that could all get lost in this future structure.
“So the risk is too great if we make one mistake and get it wrong,” Ms Waller said.
The government says that the new regulatory body would help to modernise the industry, cutting red tape and allowing for easier access to the industry for prospective businesses and innovative technology.
Ms Waller told Country News that the current framework already accommodates innovation within the dairy industry.
“There can always be improvement, in terms of innovation, preparing for what's coming through.
“We will always innovate, we will always improve process,” Ms Waller said.
