EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

AMENDMENT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

PUBLIC HEALTH (DAIRY) REGULATIONS

No. 1 of 1972

	The Australian Capital Territory Public Health (Dairy) Regulations made under the Public Health Ordinance 1928-1966 have been amended by the Minister for Health.  The primary purpose of the amendments is to take account of the changes in the control of the Territory’s milk industry brought about by the establishment of the Milk Authority under the Milk Authority Ordinance 1971.

	A number of the amendments of the Regulations concern the omission of the licensing and registration provisions, other than those providing for the licensing of dairymen and the registration of dairies and dairy herds.  Under the Milk Authority Ordinance the Minister for the Interior will grant licences for the processing and importation of milk and the Secretary to the Milk Authority will grant licences for the sale of milk from premises or vehicles, for the delivery of milk and for the installation and operation of automatic milk vending machines.

	Inspectors of Health will continue to inspect premises, machinery, equipment and vehicles and methods of processing, packaging, transport, storage and distribution of milk and cream for compliance with the Public Health (Dairy) Regulations.  Where a breach is committed, the Department will initiate legal proceedings and, when the holder of a licence is convicted under these Regulations, the Milk Authority may cancel his licence by virtue of section 21.  Other major amendments to be made to the Regulations are summarised below :-

	(i)	Milk bottles will no longer bear the name of the premises on which the milk is pasteurised.  These details must be embossed on the cap.  This new arrangement will assist milk vendors who, being required to carry all brands of milk sold in the Territory, will not have to sort empty bottles before returning them to the factories.
(ii)	Vehicles used in the carriage or delivery of milk (whether raw or processed) or cream from a point outside the Territory must have refrigeration or be insulated so that the temperature of the milk or cream is maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
(iii)	Vehicles used in the carriage or delivery of milk or cream during daylight hours (i.e. 6 am to 6 pm) must have refrigeration or be insulated so that the temperature of the milk or cream is maintained at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
(iv)	All vehicles used in the carriage or delivery of milk must bear the name of the licence holder and the type of licence painted on both sides, be capable of being effectively cleaned and must be so constructed as to protect the milk or cream from flies, dust, etc.
(v)	Milk vendors are permitted to carry and deliver fruit juices and dairy products in addition to milk or cream.
(vi)	The occupier of a factory into which is imported processed packaged milk or cream must keep records concerning the pasteurisation, packaging and transport of the milk or cream.
(vii)	Milk stored at a factory must be kept at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
(viii)	Milk vending machines installed in the Territory must be capable of protecting the milk or cream stored for sale.
(ix)	Cream sold in the Territory must have been pasteurised.
(x)	Deliveries of milk or cream to households must be made only between the hours of 6 pm and 6 am.
(xi)	Milk may only be sold on the date of pasteurisation and on the next succeeding three days.