Situation in the EU and IDF member countries

The milk quality is determined by aspects of composition and hygiene. The quatitative/hygienic requirements to be met by raw milk vary between categorical postulates for protecting human health and desirable properties which are, from the nutritional point of view, conducive for optimal consumption. The main criteria for raw milk of high quatitative/hygienic value are: - Low number of saprophytic microorganisms, - Absence or very low number of pathogenic microorganisms including mastitis pathogens and - Avoidance - as far as possible - of residues and contaminants and/or keeping them below maximum residue limits (MRLs). The saprophytic bacteria (spoilage agents) in milk are subdivided according to their main points of attack on the major milk constituents in the following groups: - Glycolytes (e.g.streptococci and lactobacilli), - Proteolytes (e.g. pseudomonads, enterobacteriaceae, aerobic sporeformers) and - Lipolytes (e.g. pseudomonads, micrococci, aeromonads, corynebacteria). Presence and multiplication of saprophytic bacteria in raw milk might change the milk composition and influence the quality of the products. Moreover, the flavour of the raw milk may be adversely influenced and heat-stable bacterial enzymes may continue to act in the product, particular during long storage and adversely affect stability and/or flavour of cream and UHT milk. The pathogenic bacteria include ''classical'' microorganisms and ''emerging pathogens''. At present, Salmonella, pathogenic Escherichia coli strains, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphyloccous aureus are the most important ones. The legal requirement for the bacteriological quality of raw milk and the payment systems are described on the basis of the Milk Hygiene Directive 92/46 EEC and the results of IDF Questionnaire 2893/A (Group of Experts A8). The information concerning milk payment systems for ex-farm milk in the Bulletin of the International Dairy Federation Nr. 305/ 1995 gives the factual situation in the different IDF countries for the period 1992/93. The report highlights the disparate nature of the payment systems and tackles the subject through surveying payments related to milk quality, hygienic quality, methodology of milk sampling and collection, and the various payment formulas. Some countries presented the data as was applicable during 1992 and others, which responded later, presented the situation as it was in 1993 and 1994. Legal requirements in food hygiene include more and more the HACCP system. Moreover, risk analysis should be the scientific basis for ail relevant decisions related to hygiene and quality.