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Dairy Industry Consultative Committee

The NSW Dairy Industry Consultative Committee (DICC) was established to provide the NSW Minister for Agriculture and the NSW Food Authority with a consistent and concise forum for consulting on matters relating to the Dairy Food Safety Scheme.

In particular, it consults on matters including:

  1. the continuing operation of the Dairy Food Safety Scheme
  2. any proposed amendment of the Dairy Food Safety Scheme.

Section 105 of the Food Act 2003 requires the Food Authority to consult with industry sectors affected by a regulatory Food Safety Scheme, in accordance with provisions of that Scheme.

The Dairy Food Safety Scheme under Food Regulation 2015 commenced in November 2014.

The committee performs a consultative role with government to ensure the safe and suitable supply of dairy products for human consumption and advises the Food Authority on policies and practices that may be introduced into Dairy Food Safety Schemes.

DICC members are appointed by the CEO of the Food Authority with membership drawn from a broad skills base across the dairy sector. Each member has expertise in specific fields enabling them to provide the Food Authority with a broad range of expert advice and new ideas to enhance strategic focus and issue resolution across the dairy sector.

Members are appointed for a term of up to 2 years and the DICC is chaired by the Food Authority.

Functions of the Dairy Industry Consultative Committee

The DICC provides feedback to the NSW Minister for Agriculture and the Food Authority on issues relating to dairy industries, including:

  • food safety policy and practices
  • the Dairy Food Safety Scheme
  • labelling, handling and hygiene
  • investigating and prosecuting businesses and individuals engaged in deceptive or misleading conduct.

Meetings

The DICC meets approximately every 6 months, with agenda items called for 1 month before each meeting.

Meeting outcomes

Terms of Reference

The primary objective of the DICC is to contribute to the Food Authority’s goal of ensuring the production and sale of dairy products that are safe and suitable for human consumption, by advising on policy and practices introduced into diary food safety schemes and developed through a consultative process.

The DICC consults with the Food Authority on food safety schemes under the Food Act 2003 relating to the dairy industry.

The DICC is also consulted on other dairy industry matters covered by the provisions of the Food Regulation 2015. This may include:

  • Conducting consultation with the Food Authority for the purposes of section 105 of the Act in relation to the dairy food safety scheme
  • The ongoing review of the operation of the dairy food safety scheme.

Where considered appropriate, the DICC may establish sub-committees to address specific issues between scheduled DICC meetings.

In addressing issues, the DICC will take into account, where appropriate, the policies and practices of interstate and overseas government food agencies and industry organisations.

Where appropriate, members will provide industry updates and current issues at each DICC meeting.

The Food Authority may continue to provide the Minister with its own advice on issues that come before the DICC.

DICC Charter and Procedural Guidelines

DICC Membership

 

NSW Dairy Industry Consultative Committee 

Representation 

Name / Address 

Contacts 

Appointment date / term end 

EastAUSmilk 

(Advocacy for NSW and QLD dairy farms) 

MRS RUTH KYDD 

“Avonmore”
RMB 3065, 1045 Barnes Road
Finley NSW 2713 

P 03 5883 0225 

M 0417 687 097 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

NSW Farmers Association 

(Advocacy for NSW dairy farms) 

MR PHIL RYAN 

Dairy Delegate
Po Box 861, 
BEGA NSW 2550 

P 6493 2273 

M 0414 703 920 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

Bega Cheese 

(Dairy processor) 

MRS BIMI SINGH 

Site Quality Manager
Bega Cheese Ltd
23-45 Ridge Street
Bega NSW 2550 

Bimi.Singh@bega.com.au 

P 6499 1846 

M 0438 457 053 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

The Riverina Dairy 

(Dairy producer) 

MR JUSTIN WILSON

Quality Assurance Manager 
The Riverina Dairy Pty Ltd
470-482 Hovell Street
Albury NSW 2640 

M 0427 865 576 

 

 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

Pecora Dairy 

(Dairy processor) 

MR MICHAEL CAINS 

Director
Pheasant Ground Pty Ltd
PO Box 3179, Robertson NSW 2577

M 0413 584 464 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

Norco Foods 

(Dairy processor) 

 

 

MRS SUSAN STANTON                

Quality Manager Norco Foods, a Division of Norco Co-operative                                          1 North Street, Raleigh NSW 2454

P 02 5641 6100 Direct 611 

M 0448 579 545 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

Star Combo Australia Pty Ltd 

(Dairy Processor) 

MS SU ZHANG 

Chief Executive Officer
165 -177 Woodpark Rd,
Smithfield NSW 2164 

M 0432 718 716 

P 02 9756 6555 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

 
 

Dairy Australia 

(Advocacy and service provider to support Australian dairy farms and industry) 

 

MRS HELEN DORNOM

Manager, Sustainability including Food Safety & Integrity
Dairy Australia
Locked Bag 104, Flinders Lane VIC 8009 

T 03 9694 3897 

F 03 9694 3833 

M 0419 395 374 

 
3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

 

Dairy NSW 

(NSW dairy research and development) 

Dr JAMES NEAL
40 Neals Lane
Oxley Island NSW 2430 
 

M 0408 678 386 

 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

NSW Department of Primary Industries 

MS SHEENA CARTER
Dairy Farm Business 
Management Development Office
2 Flemington Drive, Scone NSW 2337

M 0488 277 133 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

NSW Department of Primary Industries 

 

DR HELEN SCHAEFER

Team Leader Animal Welfare Policy & Programs,
105 Prince Street, Locked Bag 21, Orange NSW 2800 

 

M 0429 476 136

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

NSW Department of Primary Industries 

JO COOMBE          
NSW Chief Veterinary Officer and Group Director Animal Biosecurity & Food Safety
105 Prince Street, Locked Bag 21, Orange NSW 2800

P 02 6391 3410
M 0412 574 986 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

NSW Department of Primary Industries 

MR GREG VAKACI
Director, Compliance & Integrity Systems
6 Avenue of the Americas
Newington NSW 2127

 P 02 9741 4807
M 0427 427 454 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

NSW Department of Primary Industries 

DR LISA SZABO

Director Food Safety & CEO NSW Food Authority
6 Avenue of the Americas
Newington NSW 2127

P 02 9741 4700
M 0434 317 799 

3 December 2020 

30 November 2023 

Contact

Enquiries regarding the DICC can be made by contacting the relevant industry representative or the NSW Food Authority helpline at:

contact@foodauthority.nsw.gov.au 
on 1300 552 406
or by fax 02 9647 0026.