DAIRY PRODUCE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 51, 24 November 1926, Page 3

DAIRY PRODUCE

MANUFACTURE AND EXPORT NEW REGULATIONS EXPLAINED , STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE New regulations under the Dairy Industry Act as to the manufacture and export of dairy produce have recently been brought before Cabinet by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. O. J. Hawken), and approved for submission to the Governor-General-iu-Council. It may therefore be expected that they will be gazetted and brought into forct at an early date. In. connection with these the Minister states that these regulations have been drafted mainly for the following reasons /

1. The existing General Regulations on the subject of. the manufacture and export of dairy produce were made as long ago as 1899, and a number.of amendments have since been made. Owing, however, to the numerous and important changes that have occurred from time to time in the conditions of the industry, some of the old regulations are obsolete, aud the amendments that have been made from time to time do not cover all the requirements, and it is therefore desirable that fresh general regulations should be made to cover the whole position. 2. It is considered that condensed milk factories, casein factories, dried milk factories, and sugar-of-milk factories should 1 now be brought under these provisions as fat as they apply to them. . ,v 3. Power is required to regulate, the use of milking machines, and this is provided fori but it is to be definitely understood that for some time to come it is not intended to enforce these particular provisions by requiring structural or other important alterations, excepting as opportunity offers when buildings or plants are being installed or renovated.

4. Fuller powers are necessary in regard to storing, transporting,, separating, straining, aud cooling milk ■or cream. These are provided,- but here again it is not intended to ■ enforce structural alterations in any unreasonable or liastv manner. . 5. Regulations are necessary to give effect to the provisions of the Act of last session as regards cream grading, 6. It is occasionally found that provisions are required to deal with contaminated or decomposing milk or cream sent to dairy factories, A provision in regard to the addition of nonpoisonous colouring matter is necessary to, prevent such milk or cream from being taken to another factory after being refused at the supplier’s usual- factory. . . 7. Provisions are required for the purpose of giving proper control over; the making of whey butter. Although, many cheese factories are using right methods, apd are profiting accordingly, a number of others need more supervision in this respect in their own interests. 8. The standardisation of butterboxes imposed during the war- has proved decidedlv beneficial, and it is desirable to standardise cheese-crates in the same way, and also to standardise the use of wrapping paper ph butter- . • 9. At present there is no special departmental control over premises used for the storing, cooling, or freezing of graded dairy produce at the ports of shipment. A measure of such control is provided for. 10. Effect is given to the provisions of the Amendment Act of 1922 (embodying what is commonly called the Ontario Act). A number of other safeguards to suppliers in connection with the testing of their milk or cream at factories are also provided. Gradual Enforcement. Further to what is said under paragraphs 3 and 4, the Minister wishes it to be understood that, in general, these regulations will not be brought into fotce with undue precipitancy, but that every reasonable opportunity will be given’ to all concerned to adjust their business to the new requirements. In this connection it may be pointed out that there is not much in them that is not already in vogue in dairy factories and supplying dairies working on recognised, good lines. Interested Bodies Consulted. In view of the importance of these regulations, continues the Minister, it was considered advisable to consult certain bodies directly interested in tlie dairy produce industry before bringing the regulations, into force. Draft copies were accordingly forwarded to the New Zealand Dairv Produce Control Board, the National Dairy Association, the South Island Dairy Association, and the New Zealand Dairy Proprietary Association, and replies were received from eacu of these , bodies, expressing their general approval of the proposals, and agreeing as to the necessity for their introduction. In, some cases individual clauses were criticised, and, as far a.s possible., alterations' were made to meet the difficulties pointed , out. It may, therefore, be said that, with verv little exception, the regulations about to be brought into force have the full concurrence of the leaders of the industry; and the Minister trusts that they will, when gradually brought into operation, prove an important factor in ‘improving the quality of our dairy produce and facilitating its manufacture and export.