With the start of a new calendar year, the next steps in consultation on Dairysafe’s new Strategic Direction Plan 2025-2028, are being taken.
“It has been helpful to recall our primary objectives, formulated in our previous 2021-2024 Strategic Directions Plan, and its impacts on the full South Australian pre and post farm-gate supply chain,” said Alistair McFarlane, CEO of Dairysafe.
“As it was then and as it is now, our mission remains to lead the South Australian dairy community to embrace a food safety culture, which is critical to your brand and to South Australia’s reputation as a producer of premium dairy products.”
Alistair said Dairysafe’s focus was to keep consumers safe by leading, connecting, inspiring, and building confidence within the dairy industry.
“Efforts are concentrated on creating a more knowledgeable and interconnected industry through technology, data, engagement, innovation, fit-for-purpose and risk-based regulation, building relationships, and thoughtful leadership,” he said.
“The need to be innovative and use the best available technology is more important than ever to maintain our focus on being leaders in dairy food safety. Our vision is for consumers to have confidence in the dairy industry, and our strategic priorities support that vision.”
Dairysafe has focused on growing its capabilities and internal team skills to deliver sustainable outcomes for industry.
These have included addressing notifiable incidents with no long-standing adverse outcomes, reducing duplication of regulatory audits, improving our internal quality IT management system and extending our breadth of auditing work into dairy product exports.
“By engaging closely with industry, we have improved our alignment to industry and impacts on recognised risk and performance directions,” Alistair said.
“Our audits have set out to improve and add value to dairy business food safety culture and practices, in the factory, on farm and in milk logistics.
“With our central position across the supply chain and our regulatory remit, we have set out to communicate what we do, see, and hear, through our website, e-news, industry forums, bulletins, and webinars. As a result, we are pleased to be recognised as a reliable and sought-after source of advice.
“In recognition of the ever-changing and demanding impacts on businesses’ time and funds, we have developed digital food safety education programs to aid growth in safety practices. And we have continued to participate in the annual DIAA Food Safety Culture awards recognising and promoting improvements in dairy business culture.”
Dairysafe has been planning for its new five-year Strategic Plan over the past 18 months, with considerable consultation with industry and stakeholders.
This Framework and posed questions will be discussed with a group of senior dairy Industry leaders in early February to directly gauge the needs of the industry and obtain further constructive suggestions.