United Dairyfarmers of Victoria: new Safe Food Victoria threatens dairy industry

A representative group of dairy farmers in Victoria have spoken up against the state government’s move to dismantle Dairy Food Safety Victoria (DFSV) and replace it with the new Safe Food Victoria.

In an announcement last week, the Allan Labor Government revealed that is was introducing a new food safety regulator in the form of Safe Food Victoria  – designed to better protect public health and continue to give communities confidence in the safety of their food.

This new independent statutory authority will report to the Minister for Agriculture and is expected to begin operation in mid-2026, subject to passage of legislation.

In response to the announcement, the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) have expressed concern saying the new regulator must not compromise safety and result in increased costs for the dairy industry.

UDV President Bernie Free is calling on the Victorian Government to clarify their decision and the lack of a business case behind the move.

“This move has united the industry in opposition to these so called ‘reforms’. Replacing a proven, cost-neutral, specialist regulator with a one-size-fits all bureaucracy just won’t work.”

“Where is the evidence that DFSV is not working? The current model enables a specialist, self-funded regulator that operates effectively and efficiently.”

“DFSV is the benchmark for dairy safety in Australia and for our dairy exports, amalgamating it in with other food safety risks not just safety for the consumer but for Victoria’s $2.5 billion or 73 per cent of Australia’s dairy exports,” Mr free said.

Mr Free added the decision has the potential to negatively impact Australis’s largest dairy producing state and exporter. 

“Safety must not be compromised, and costs must not be increased. Victoria’s dairy industry already operates under tight margins, and additional regulatory burdens will directly hurt farmers, processors, and ultimately consumers.”