Brucellosis surveillance: changing how we sample bulk milk tanks

We want to know what you think about our proposals to change the way bulk milk tanks are sampled quarterly for producer-retailers. Producer-retailers are those who sell milk and milk products directly from the farm to the public or retailers. This can include sale of raw (unpasteurised) milk and milk products.

We propose to change the law so producer-retailers can collect and submit three samples for brucellosis surveillance each year themselves. AHVLA would continue to collect the fourth sample. This would bring producer-retailer sampling in line with primary milk purchasers. It would also address the disproportionately high costs and resource associated with AHVLA undertaking farm visits for the collection of these samples.

We particularly want to hear from producer-retailers and retailers.