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Recently implemented national strategies

National Food Safety Auditor Certification Scheme

In February 2006, The Hon Sussan Ley (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) launched the National Food Safety Auditor Certification Scheme, developed through the government's Food Safety and Quality Systems Initiative which is part of the National Food Industry Strategy.

The auditing of food safety plans has previously been handled by a variety of state departments and third party certifying auditors, leading to an overly complicated and uncoordinated approach. The National Scheme will result in the alignment of training and certification of food safety auditors to a single consistent system. Ms Ley said although Australia is already recognised for producing safe, high quality food the scheme will provide industry and regulators with increased confidence in the audit process and outcome. "The scheme outlines the assessment and monitoring criteria, including peer review, recognition of current competence and monitoring the overall performance of auditors," says Ms Ley.

Auditors will be categorised into four different levels and will only be able to audit businesses/processes in the category matching their competency level. For example, Level 1 auditors are used when there is already an approved food safety program in place; while Level 4 auditors can conduct full system audits on businesses/processes that potentially pose a high food safety risk to consumers.

To complement the new competency based system, national food safety auditing training standards have been developed through the national vocational education and training framework.

More information about the scheme and training packages can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's website.

Enhancing the safety and security of our food supply

The Attorney-General's Department and the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) released statements in May 2006 announcing the launch of the Food Chain Assurance Advisory Groups National Food Chain Safety and Security Strategy, Enhancing the Safety and Security of Our Food Supply.

The Attorney-General, Mr Philip Ruddock said the "...Strategy recognises that in addition to the traditional threats of natural disaster, disease and contamination, our security could be challenged by those who quite maliciously disrupt our food supply."

The Food Chain Assurance Advisory Group was formed in 2003 after Australia's food industry was recognised as a critical part of our national infrastructure. Over the past three years the Group have undertaken a strategic assessment of the existing food safety and security arrangements in Australia. The Strategy was then developed to cover key potential gaps and vulnerabilities identified by the assessment.

The Strategy, outlining the actions necessary to enhance the security of our food supply chain, is being distributed to the owners and operators of businesses in the food industry in Australia.

More information on the Strategy can be obtained by contacting the AFGC (Rosie Schmedding 02 6273 1466 or 0437 379 818).

National Guidelines for dairy producers

The Australian New Zealand Dairy Authorities Committee's Guidelines for Food Safety: Dairy Farms were launched at the United Dairy Farmers of Victoria Annual Conference in May, 2006. The initiative, led by Dairy Food Safety Victoria (DFSV), was funded by the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation.

The guidelines are designed to assist dairy farmers to develop a food safety program that covers the following criteria: control and prevention of microbial, chemical and physical contamination; and effective identification and traceability. The food safety program requirements were based on a risk assessment of general dairy farm operations using HACCP principles.

A copy of the Guidelines may be accessed through the DFSV website.