Dairy Safe Food Victoria has been merged into Safe Food Victoria, or SFV, which officially launched on July 1 to oversee food safety from paddock to plate.
For dairy farmers and processors, the message from the new regulator is one of continuity, with existing licenses remaining valid, compliance schedules continuing as normal, and the same staff visiting farms across the state.
Local councils and environmental health officers also retain their co-regulatory roles.
But the loss of a dairy-specific regulator has not sat well with the industry, VFF United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Bernie Free said.
Mr Free congratulated Mike Gooey on his appointment as inaugural CEO, but said the UDV was yet to see a clear value proposition for dairy farmers from the reform.
“While the dairy industry continues to hold reservations about the decision, we acknowledge the new authority will now begin operations and look forward to working constructively,” Mr Free said.
Among the UDV’s priorities is the fate of $6 million in reserves accumulated through dairy industry fees, money Mr Free said must remain ring-fenced for dairy food safety outcomes.
The UDV is also calling on the SFV board to establish advisory committees provided for under the legislation.
Mr Free said a similar structure existed under the old DFSV model, giving farmers and processors a direct voice in decisions affecting them.
“Meaningful consultation with industry must continue and industry expertise must remain central to regulatory decision-making,” Mr Free said.
He also stressed the need to retain dairy-specific expertise within the merged body.
“We are a perishable product, so having a robust system is critical.
“The dairy industry doesn’t shy away from regulation, but it’s important that it remains practical.”
Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle said staff would be retained in the merger, and that the new system would be among the nation’s best.
“A trusted food safety system is good for families, good for farmers and good for exports. Safe Food Victoria will help Victoria keep leading the nation,” Ms Settle said.
Minister for Health Harriet Shing stressed the importance of common-sense and collaboration for the new regulator.
“Safe Food Victoria is a really good example of a collaborative and common-sense approach to managing and regulating food safety,” Ms Shing said.
Mr Free said the UDV’s priorities reflected recent discussions with government, including an on-farm visit by Ms Settle to his property near Warrnambool.
“There’s no substitute for getting out onto a working dairy farm and having honest conversations,” Mr Free said.
The broader reform also folds in regulators covering meat, seafood and other food categories, with egg, sprout and horticulture oversight to transition from Agriculture Victoria in 2027.
Stage two, including wider stakeholder consultation, is expected to begin later this year.
