The Raw Milk Control Program (RMCP) has achieved significant results, covering 23 regions of Ukraine and uniting 1053 market operators in the "Dairy Module". This is reported by the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection (SSUFSCP - DPSS).
The key results and achievements of the Raw Milk Control Program (hereinafter - the Program, RMCP) in 2024 were discussed by members of the Working Group on the implementation of the Roadmap for the introduction of the Raw Milk Control Program based on the "Dairy Module" software.
In total, the event was attended by 487 specialists from the SSUFSCP from all regions of Ukraine and representatives of the Swiss-Ukrainian program "Quality Food Trade Program" (QFTP).
"Six years ago, there was an idea to create a comprehensive Program that confirms the safety and quality of Ukrainian milk. Now it is being implemented in 23 regions, covering 1053 market operators. The dairy industry is the only one in Ukraine where the 'from field to table' principle has been almost fully implemented, becoming an example of perfect, harmonious production in the food industry," noted Oleh Osian, First Deputy Head of the SSUFSCP.
It is recalled that the Program was launched on February 15, 2019, and its goal is the further European integration of the dairy sector in accordance with EU norms, ensuring traceability of the quality and safety of dairy products in Ukraine.
Constant support in the implementation of the Program is provided by the Swiss-Ukrainian program "Quality Food Trade Program" (QFTP), implemented by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL, Switzerland) in partnership with SAFOSO AG 1 (Switzerland).
"Switzerland's support to the SSUFSCP in terms of raw milk control has been ongoing for several years. Within the QFTP program, our common goal is the national-level deployment of the Raw Milk Control Program, including every dairy farm in it. This task is particularly relevant in the context of Ukraine's European integration, because as a candidate country for the EU, we must ensure full compliance of raw milk control with European requirements," noted Ihor Kravchenko, QFTP Local Manager.
According to him, the development and implementation of the Roadmap is not only a technical step but a vivid example of the development of the institutional capacity of the SSUFSCP, its territorial units, as well as effective interaction with the private sector and civil society.
In 2024, the number of registered facilities for the production of dairy products increased by 1.2 times compared to 2023. Looking at the changes in perspective, since the start of the pilot project in 2019, the total number of registered facilities has increased by an impressive 70 times. This dynamic indicates the active development of the Raw Milk Control Program based on the "Dairy Module" software and the growing demand and commitment among market operators.
In 2024, Kyiv and Kharkiv Oblasts resumed the implementation of the RMCP after the start of the full-scale invasion. For the first time since the start of the RMCP deployment, milk testing began for market operators in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
In total, the number of tests across all indicators in the Program in 2024 increased to 33,374, which is 51% more than in 2023. Raw milk sample testing in the reporting year was carried out by 42 authorized regional (19) and inter-district (23) laboratories in 20 regions of Ukraine.
The average levels of total bacterial count (TBC) and somatic cell count (SCC) remain below the permissible levels for the compliance criteria of raw cow's milk, established by the Order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy No. 118/2019. The proportion of test results for TBC exceeding the permissible levels is 1.4%, and for SCC - 1.3%.
When comparing the averaged indicators with the criteria established in the EU, 90% of all SCC test results in 2024 fully comply with the established EU limits (less than 400,000 cells/ml). Regarding the TBC level, only 50% of the results do not exceed the permissible levels established in the EU (100,000 CFU/ml).
During the event, participants also discussed the progress of the implementation of the Roadmap for the introduction of the Raw Milk Control Program in Ukraine 2024-2026 for the reporting period and the next steps: improving the functionality/modernization of the "Dairy Module" software, developing regulatory legal acts adapted to EU legislation related to the dairy sector, approving standard operating procedures for the implementation of the Program, and measures to raise awareness of all participants.
You can find the report on the results of the implementation of the Raw Milk Control Program based on the information and communication system of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection ("Dairy Module") in 2024 via the following: https://dpss.gov.ua/storage/app/sites/12/uploaded-files/ricnii-zvit-2025-veb.pdf.
Press Service of the Association of Milk Producers
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