March 9, 2009

Turkey's dairy sector is still far from meeting EU standards, particularly in segregating products that would be exported to EU markets, an inspection report said Friday (Mar 6).

The report, based on a visit by EU veterinary and food safety inspectors in November, said there is much room for improvement in hygiene rules and for the development of reliable product traceability systems.

No Turkish milk processing plants have been authorised for export to EU markets since 2001. Four dairy plants have requested EU approval and inspectors visited three of the plants.

The plants met EU standards on layout, equipment, maintenance and hygiene. Heat treatment applied to milk and milk products was also properly conducted and documented.

However, water control at the plants was not adequate and there were issues elsewhere, mainly on traceability and separation of EU-exportable dairy products, the report said.

The report said there have been improvements since the last EU inspection in November 2007, but more guarantees were needed to finalise the required adjustments to Turkish laws, official controls and certification.