May 11, 2006

Dutch dairy group raises standards for feed quality controls

Dutch dairy group Campina has upgraded its new quality certification system for animal feed and provided an online system where member farmers can trace the source of feed supplied to them.

Campina said it only wants to partner feed companies able to satisfy HACCP standards throughout the production stage. The companies would have to be those who can handle any crisis that arose, said Atze Schaap, Campina's director of member services.

The Netherlands is now paying more attention to safety since animal feed for cattle was found contaminated with dioxin in 2004. The contaminants were detected in the milk from cows who had eaten the contaminated feed, causing the closures of 160 dairy farms.

The group will soon test a new, online monitoring system with 100 of its member farmers and five feed companies. The system would keep records of all feed bought by Campina's dairy farmers, and thus provide greater traceability. 

Member farmers would also be able to check which feed companies comply with the extra quality assurance requirements set out by Campina.

Campina announced plans to implement a new quality standard last year. The standard set out requirements on the care for animals, water and feed.