Changes To On Farm Milk Filtration Standards
Monday, 5th July 2010 There is evidence within the industry that some current milk filters fitted in farm dairies are subject to milk bypass for various reasons:
As a result an industry working group was set up to revise current standards for the design and operation of inline milk filters fitted in farm dairies.
Milk filtering requirements have been modified in NZCP1 to give Dairy Companies and Regulatory Bodies confidence that regulatory requirements are being met. It is important to recognise that any standard when set must be measurable and have the ability to be audited. This must be achieved without inhibiting future innovation.
Current requirements and standards for the filtration of raw milk on farm are found in two locations. DPC2: Animal Products (Dairy) Approved Criteria for Farm Dairies which sits beneath the Animal Products Act 1999 and outlines the requirement. NZCP1: Code of Practice for the Design and Operation of Farm Dairies which describes the equipment requirements that must be met on farm. The changes to NZCP1 are highlighted in the attached document - please read it and ensure you have procedures in place to continue to be compliant with the new requirements.
- Filters do not have the capacity to effectively filter the peak volumes of milk being produced.
- Introduction of animal feeding programmes during milking exacerbate the problem above.
- In some cases filter seals are failing at relatively low pressures.
- Air purge systems are set at pressures in excess of the design pressure of the filter.
As a result an industry working group was set up to revise current standards for the design and operation of inline milk filters fitted in farm dairies.
Milk filtering requirements have been modified in NZCP1 to give Dairy Companies and Regulatory Bodies confidence that regulatory requirements are being met. It is important to recognise that any standard when set must be measurable and have the ability to be audited. This must be achieved without inhibiting future innovation.
Current requirements and standards for the filtration of raw milk on farm are found in two locations. DPC2: Animal Products (Dairy) Approved Criteria for Farm Dairies which sits beneath the Animal Products Act 1999 and outlines the requirement. NZCP1: Code of Practice for the Design and Operation of Farm Dairies which describes the equipment requirements that must be met on farm. The changes to NZCP1 are highlighted in the attached document - please read it and ensure you have procedures in place to continue to be compliant with the new requirements.
All raw milk filters installed after 1 October 2010 including filter elements, seals and associated fittings shall comply with current industry approval standards. In addition to this any filtration system installed before this date identified as being ineffective during assessment and trace back must be upgraded to current industry standards.
