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FAQs - Dairy and the Animal Products Act

When does dairy material becomes dairy product?

At point of sale/export or at the start of the retail chain.

How is the start of retail chain identified?

Dairy processing covers storage, transportation, and handling of dairy material prior to delivery of the material at the place of sale for consumption or for end use for purposes other than consumption. The point where dairy processing ends (for product intended for sale on the domestic market) is usually regarded as the start of the retail chain. For practical purposes, this would be, for instance, the point of delivery to a supermarket or supermarket warehouse.

How do dual RMP’s work?

Only one document is required but two approvals are required (Meat and Dairy).

What happens to my registration number?

After 1 June 2005 the Unique Identifier number replaces the Registration number. Wherever possible the actual number will remain unchanged.

In your RMP it will be necessary to remove all reference to registration of premises.

Do I need to retain references to D series standards in my RMP?

The Standards have been replaced by Specifications. It will be necessary to delete all references to D series Standards in your RMP and replace with the appropriate current reference within the two year transition period.

What about other terminology?

It will be necessary to make sure all the terminology in your RMP is up to date and in line with current terminology and legislation. For example you need to replace references to the Dairy Industry Act with Animal Products Act, Third Party Agency with Recognised Agency, Importing Country Requirements with Export Requirements and so on.

I understand I need to expand upon the Dairy Product description. Do I need to list out each individual product descriptions?

With the Dairy product description it is not necessary to list out specific product information. What is needed here is a more general description on consumer group. For example, intended for human consumption by the general population.

What if my PSP application was not ready by 1 June 2005?

After 1 June 2005 new applications must meet the requirements of the APA legislation, and will be assessed as an RMP.

Existing PSP’s became deemed RMP’s on 1 June 2005. There is a two year transition period, during which time all deemed RMP’s will be need to be updated to be fully compliant RMP’s.

What if there is a significant change in my operation?

If there is a significant change it will be necessary to update your deemed RMP to a fully compliant RMP.

So what is the status of TPAs after 1 June 2005?

Third Party Agencies (TPA) become Recognised Agencies (RA) after the 1st June 2005 and RA categories and RMP assessment categories apply (as does existing frequency).

Do subcontractors to Recognised Agencies need to have assessments?

Subcontractors to Recognised Agencies need to have assessments under each of the Agencies they contract to. This will assess knowledge and compliance to RA procedures.

What are the changes relating to SORs?

There will be terminology changes from Dairy Industry Act terms to Animal Product Act terms. The stockfeed SOR will be amended. Updated templates are available on the web.

Are RA’s able to do dual verification of RMP and Export requirements?

Verification of Export Requirements can be undertaken at the same time the RMP is verified, unless there are export requirements which are required to be verified at a time that doesn't coincide with the next RMP verification. The decision is between the RMP operator and recognised agency in scheduling an appropriate verification activity.

Do export requirements have to be included in the RMP?

Official assurances, export and importing country requirements can be documented either in RMP’s or in a separate documented system. Verification of compliance with these requirements is to be carried out by a recognised agency/ person.