Measurability and development of the hygienic value of the raw material milk

Since the implementation of the Federal German Milk Quality Payment Ordinance (1980) the hygienic value of ex-farm milk is defined by three parameters: saprophytic colony count, somatic cell count, and absence of antibiotic inhibitors. Between 1977/79 and 2000 these parameters showed marked improvement as to: Colony count (geometric average) : 500,000 to 20,000 cfu/ml Somatic cell count (geometric average) : 300,000 to 176,000 cells/ml Percentage of inhibitor positive samples: 0.5 to 0.08 %. The interplay between regular random testing and assessment of results oriented towards thresholds with consequences for the milk price took obviously effect. Efforts to achieve measurability and interpretation of results down to the establishment of thresholds are being reflected. Insights gained, assessments of parameters as well as the recommendations derived are scientifically based. They were discussed sometimes very controversially among various interest groups. Thus, the final regulatory solutions had not only scientific but also economic, political and technical dimensions.