END OF THE DEROGATIONS TO REGULATION (EC) 853/2004 FOR COW’S MILK IN ITALY

Abstract

Derogations for somatic cell and total bacterial count limits had allowed non-compliant milk to be used for cheesemaking in Italy. Commercial and health considerations prompted a decision to implement a program to gradually repeal the derogations. In this study, we report the statistical evaluation of the situation in 2007-2008, the outcomes of the program to close the derogation and observations of its effects during its implementation from 2010-2013 in the Lombardy region. The introduction of a progressive decrease of the limit allowed regulators to minimize the negative impact on production levels by focusing on the management of the most non-compliant farms first.

Keywords

• cow milk, derogations, somatic cell count, total bacterial count