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MILK PRODUCTION

Version 5.0 (streamlined)

Click to view all MILK PRODUCTION

Key – Those standards which have greater significance (all other standards are normal)

Recommendation – Those which do not affect certification

New – A completely new standard which the member must now adhere to

Revised – A standard that has changed and requires the member to take some different or additional action to before

Upgraded – The standard has been upgraded to a Key standard or from a Recommendation to a full standard

Appendix – Referenced in ‘How you will be measured’. Indicates that additional information is provided in the Appendices, which are available at the end of each section.

This icon indicates that a record is required.

Where to find help – at the end of each section we have indicated where you can get extra guidance if you need it.

Aim:

MILK PRODUCTION

DR.MP.1

Standards

The milk collection area must be kept practically clean and tidy.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.1.a

The area from the back axle of the tanker to the storage tank access is made of concrete or similar surface, complete, drained and kept sufficiently clean that the tanker hose is not soiled when in use.

DR.MP.1.b

The walkway from the driver’s door to the back axle of the tanker and storage tank access provides clean, hard-standing access for the tanker driver.

DR.MP.1.c

Kept sufficiently clean that the tanker hose is not soiled when in use.

DR.MP.2

Standards

The milk collection area must be externally lit to facilitate the safe collection of milk in darkness .

DR.MP.3

Standards

The dairy and milk storage area must be free from accumulated dirt, dust, cobwebs, mould, rust, rubbish and medicines, chemicals/products, buckets and equipment not in use (including pressure washers when not specifically used for dairy).

How you will be measured

DR.MP.3.a

Foul odours avoided by keeping drains free from blockages, adequate ventilation and not siting slurry/effluent tanks next to dairy.

DR.MP.3.c

A means of cleaning the dairy available e.g. dedicated brush or hose pipe.

DR.MP.4

Standards

Structures within the dairy and milk storage area must be sound, maintained and suitable.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.4.a

Walls (the full height to the ceiling) and doors are undamaged with a sealed, washable finish.

DR.MP.4.b

Floors are impervious, well-drained (no standing water) and complete (any cracks not able to hold dirt or water).

DR.MP.4.c

Ceilings, beams and roof linings are complete and maintained. False ceilings are fully sealed.

DR.MP.4.e

Well-fitting, complete windows that are permanently secured shut or have fitted fly screens.

DR.MP.4.f

Lights are shatterproof or covered.

DR.MP.5

Standards

The dairy and milk storage access points must be kept secure when unattended. (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.MP.5.a

All access points to the dairy/milk storage facilities can be secured.

DR.MP.5.b

The external door(s) or room can be locked.

DR.MP.5.c

Doors are kept closed when not in use.

DR.MP.6

Standards

Milk storage tanks are managed to reduce the risk of milk contamination.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.6.a

Tank and silo lid hatches/covers and bungs are entire and kept routinely closed.

DR.MP.6.b

Checks can be made on milk to ensure it is not contaminated i.e. tanks have lids or sampling points and space between the tank lid and ceiling to allow sampling and visual inspection of milk.

DR.MP.6.c

Exterior: - tanks/silos, pipelines, rubber seals, motor casings, outlets and hoses/pressure washers are free from external accumulated dirt, dust, rust, bird droppings - water heaters, agitator motors free from rust - milk silo air inlets are fitted with a filter - milk silos are located on a drained concrete pad

DR.MP.6.d

Interior: - cleaning completed after every complete milk collection and left free of chemical residues achieved by a final rinse with potable water - clean outlet pipes, dipsticks, lids, caps, bungs, internal ladders, external valves and sampling points

DR.MP.7

Standards

Milk cooling systems and storage tanks cool milk to required temperatures

How you will be measured

DR.MP.7.a

Milk cooled immediately after milking to at least the legal maximum temperatures. For everyday collection milk is cooled and maintained at 8°C or lower, for alternate day collection 6°C or lower. First Purchaser contracts may specify more stringent temperature requirements.

DR.MP.7.b

Tanks are fitted with functioning temperature gauges. Temperatures checked after each milking and comparisons between temperatures on tanker collection receipts and tank gauges made to identify faults.

DR.MP.8

Standards

Milk cooling systems and storage tanks must be maintained to ensure effective cooling and washing.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.8.a

Evidence of annual service.

DR.MP.8.b

Maintenance/calibration of relevant gauges and leakage testing as required by legislation.

DR.MP.8.c

Faults identified during the service are rectified.

Service sheets

DR.MP.9

Standards

The milking parlour/automated milking units must be kept clean and tidy.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.9.a

The parlour area/automatic milking unit is free from accumulated dirt, dung, dust and rubbish.

DR.MP.9.b

The parlour/automatic milking unit, walls, doors and gates and collecting yard close to the entrance are washed and cleaned down after each milking.

DR.MP.9.c

Troughs are free from mould and a build-up of mould of feed debris.

DR.MP.9.d

Ceilings are visually clean and beams/girders free from rust and accumulated dust.

DR.MP.9.e

The parlour/automatic milking unit is kept tidy and clear of products, chemicals and items not in constant use.

DR.MP.10

Standards

Equipment in the parlour/automatic milking units must be clean.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.10.a

Equipment visually clean: internally and external - applies to ducts, jars, clusters and pipework.

DR.MP.10.b

Detailed plant cleaning protocol available, displayed and implemented. Must include stages of wash and final rinse, products used, water temperature and checks undertaken (frequency) If auto wash used stages should be detailed along with frequency of checks undertaken

Plant cleaning protocol

DR.MP.11

Standards

A supply of water and suitable means of washing must be available to the parlour area. (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.MP.11.a

A dedicated hose or power washer for the parlour which is long enough to reach all areas of the parlour and all milking points.

DR.MP.12

Standards

Structures within the parlour area must be sound, maintained and suitable.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.12.a

Walls (with a washable height to 2.5m or whole wall) and doors are undamaged with a sealed, washable finish.

DR.MP.12.b

Floors are impervious, well-drained (no standing water), complete (any cracks not able to hold dirt or water).

DR.MP.12.c

Ceilings, beams and roof linings complete and maintained. False ceilings fully sealed.

DR.MP.13

Standards

The parlour must be well lit and any lighting must not be a cause for contamination.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.13.a

Parlour light intensity enables cattle I.D. to be read and foremilk inspection carried out.

DR.MP.13.b

Lights are shatterproof or covered.

DR.MP.13.c

Light covers are free from accumulated dead flies and cobwebs.

DR.MP.14

Standards

The milking machine and all associated equipment, fixtures and fittings must be maintained and suitable.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.14.a

Fixtures and fittings are of sound construction with a washable finish.

DR.MP.14.b

No signs of perishing rubber ware.

DR.MP.14.c

Automatic dipping and flushing systems are maintained and functioning to ensure milk contamination is avoided.

DR.MP.14.d

Automatic milking units are inspected at least daily.

DR.MP.15

Standards

Teat cup liners must be clean, free from damage and changed regularly.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.15.a

The milking machine has teat cup liners that are changed in accordance with manufacturers' instructions for number of milkings/hours of use.

DR.MP.15.b

Records of liner changes are kept for 12 months.

Records of date of liner change

DR.MP.16

Standards

The milking machine must be tested at least annually, identified faults rectified and records kept.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.16.a

Machine tested statically at least annually to latest standards relevant to machine or installation date (currently ISO6690:2007).

DR.MP.16.b

Copies of test report available to assessor.

DR.MP.16.c

Test reports/delivery notes/invoices demonstrate faults have been rectified.

Machine test certificate and report – showing test compliance to ISO6690:2007

DR.MP.18

Standards

It is recommended that milking machine testing is undertaken by a competent engineer or technician

How you will be measured

DR.MP.18.a

Technician/engineer holds accreditation through the Milking Equipment Association or similar.

Documentation quotes membership number

DR.MP.19

Standards

Water used in the milk production area that is in contact with teats/udders and internal equipment surfaces must be safe. (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.MP.19.b

Where private water supplies are used an annual risk assessment or water test has been carried out and water has been determined as being safe. See relevant Appendix for guidance.

Water test report
Risk Assessment

DR.MP.20

Standards

Chemicals and cleaning agents used within the milk production area must be authorised for intended use, stored and used in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.MP.20.a

Products used are within date, not phenolic based, not known to cause taint in milk, not harmful to livestock if in contact with the udder.

DR.MP.20.b

Cleaning chemicals do not contain quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), as stated on the chemical data sheet or a warranty received from the supplier.

DR.MP.20.c

Correct quantities are used (measuring jug used or regular checks on auto-dosing systems).

DR.MP.20.d

Products are used in water of the correct temperature.
  • Data sheets/warranty declaration from supplier
  • Wash protocol

DR.MP.21

Standards

The temperature of the wash cycle must be checked regularly.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.21.a

Functional thermal tapes, electronic thermometers or integrated monitoring systems are used.

DR.MP.21.b

Gauges on water heaters indicate start temperature.

DR.MP.22

Standards

Current safety sheets for all chemicals and cleaning agents (including disinfectants) used within the milk production area must be available.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.22.a

Chemical safety sheets are easily accessible to all, in case of emergency or spillage, either printed or downloaded and saved on an electronic device accessible by all.

DR.MP.23 Key

Standards

Lactating cows must be milked daily.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.23.a

Milking times and intervals are consistent for all milking cows including those in isolation.

DR.MP.23.b

Less frequent milking (i.e. alternate day) for drying-off is not practised.

DR.MP.23.c

For automatic milking unit systems checks are made daily that all lactating cows have been milked.

DR.MP.24 Key

Standards

Procedures must be in place to reduce the risk of contaminating milk and to inspect for abnormalities .

How you will be measured

DR.MP.24.a

Udders and teats are clean and dry prior to milking with a means of cleaning soiled udders available and used as necessary.

DR.MP.24.a.1

Udder cloths, if used, are single use or sanitised between cows

DR.MP.24.b

Cows have their milk individually inspected at the start of milking – for presence of blood, clots and discolouration. Methods of inspection are: foremilking, conductivity meter/colour detection system, transparent claws long milk tube filters or recording jars.

DR.MP.24.c

Contamination of milk from antibiotic sprays minimised by only applying post milking

DR.MP.25 Key

Standards

Milk consigned for human consumption must be suitable for use.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.25.a

Milk is unsuitable and discarded if: - It is from a TB reactor (from the point of veterinary diagnosis) - Inspection/detection identifies abnormalities in the milk - The cow it derives from shows signs of disease, infection, udder inflammation or wounds (and therefore the cow is being treated); or is under medicine withdrawal period

DR.MP.26 Key

Standards

Systems are in place to ensure that milk unfit for human consumption does not enter the milk storage tank.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.26.a

In conventional parlour systems, cows whose milk is unfit for human consumption are: - clearly identified for the full withdrawal period. Treated cows are visually identified with stock marker/spray, tail tapes, lower leg tapes/bands - milked last or into a separate bucket unit system. If separate units are unavailable and treated cows not milked last, the unit is thoroughly cleaned prior to being used on other cows

DR.MP.26.b

In Automatic Milking Unit systems: - the cows are recorded on the controlling computer by a nominated person - the system automatically discards the milk and the unit is cleaned prior to milking the next cow

DR.MP.27

Standards

Milking personnel are aware of relevant procedures that prevent contaminated milk from entering the milk storage tank.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.27.a

I.D. of treated cows is communicated to milking personnel including relief milkers (e.g. white board).

DR.MP.27.b

All aware of methods of identifying treated cows (as outlined in Herd Health Plan).

DR.MP.28 Key

Standards

Milking personnel must follow good hygiene practices.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.28.a

Wellingtons, milking apron/suit are clean at the start of milking and cleaned/changed when soiled during milking. Clean gloves are used for each milking.

DR.MP.28.b

Hands, forearms (and gloves, if used), are kept clean during milking .

DR.MP.28.c

Cuts, wounds and sores are covered.

DR.MP.28.d

Stockmen suffering from infectious illness that could contaminate raw milk do not carry out milking.

DR.MP.29

Standards

Dedicated and accessible hand and arm washing and drying facilities must be provided (Revised)

How you will be measured

DR.MP.29.a

Located within the dairy or an adjacent room which is also accessible to tanker driver

DR.MP.29.b

Facilities include; - Sink/vessel/hose - Hot water is made available - Soap

DR.MP.29.c

Paper towels along with bin (emptied regularly) or hygienic method of hand drying are available

DR.MP.29.d

Hand basins discharge into a drain or well-drained floor

DR.MP.30

Standards

The dairy and all milking areas are designated no smoking areas.

How you will be measured

DR.MP.30.a

Smoking does not occur in the dairy or parlour/automated milking unit area.

DR.MP.30.b

Both areas have appropriate signage.
  • MP.3 – Dairy being any area where the milk is either held or where equipment through which the milk passes it sited (i.e. plate cooler, filter)
  • MP.19.a – Water is direct from the mains, held in a clean, covered holding tank or from a safe private water supply
  • MP.25 – Animals are in a good state of health and present no sign of disease that might result in the contamination of milk. In particular are not suffering from any infection of the genital tract with discharge, enteritis with diarrhoea and fever, udder wound likely to affect the milk and colostrum or recognisable inflammation of the udder. Animals are free of brucellosis.
  • MP.29 – Sinks should not be used as storage units