Picture: KYRA SYKES
THE state’s Dairysafe board and management recently held a meeting in the South East and toured the region’s large-scale dairy operations.
Chief executive officer Brian Owens was accompanied by chair Roseanne Healy and members Kay Matthias and Gina Dal Santo when visiting the Union Dairy Company and Blue Lake Dairy Group sites.
Chair Roseanne Healy said the purpose of the tour was to engage with industry in the region.
“Dairysafe recognises the need to remain relevant to the ever-changing and dynamic operations of the South Australian and national dairy industry and engagement on the ground ensures the board and management remain in step with the requirements and the challenges of the industry,” she said.
“Being responsible for the industry regulatory framework, we strive to be collaborative in the promotion of a strong and effective food safety culture across the state and getting out where it all happens strengthens that drive.”
She said it was important for the board and management team to meet industry professionals in person.
“We always benefit from face to face exposure to the industry and here we saw exemplary new dairy processing businesses operating at best practice levels underpinned by significant levels of investment operating in the domestic and international markets,” Ms Healy said.
“Further, it builds on the essential business partnerships between the processing and regulatory aspects of the dairy businesses in the region.
“The South East is definitely a substantial contributor to the South Australian dairy industry.”
With both the Union Dairy Company located south of Penola and the Blue Lake Dairy Group at Tantanoola relatively new operations, Ms Healy said it was pleasing to visit the new facilities.
“We observed extremely high levels of food safety production and processing, operating under best practice conditions and were encouraged as to the future of dairy in the South East, including the increasing demand for milk and milk products well into the future,” she said.
“Both facilities are first rate, extremely clean, environmentally friendly sites and promote pride and confidence into the future of dairying in the region.
“We were encouraged by the direction of Union Dairy to secure increased local employment with a strong drive to support and source product from the local producers.”
