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SECTION 5: INSPECTION OF DAIRY FARMS

1. Inspection of the farm is required prior to the issuance of a permit.

2. Each dairy farm shall be inspected at least once every 6 months*. (This is
the legal minimum and not the desired frequency). A copy of the
inspection report is to be provided to the producer and a copy is kept on file at
the regulatory agency. The producer's copy is either posted or made
available to the regulatory agency upon request. It shall not be defaced.

* Regulatory Agencies desiring to inspect dairy farms under the Performance
Based Dairy Farm Inspection system shall follow the requirements outlined in
Appendix P of the PMO.

3. FDA has consistently defined the inspection of a Grade “A” dairy farm
includes the milkhouse, milking barn, stable and parlor, adjacent storage
areas, cowyard and cattle housing areas, surroundings, waste disposal areas
and the water supply and its distribution system. These areas may include
dairy animal maternity areas, animal treatment areas or hospital barns,
replacement heifer areas, offices, utility rooms, tool sheds, (drug cabinets,
refrigerators, etc.) or other areas where drugs, used to treat dairy animals,
may be used or stored.

With regard to drug storage, labeling and use, the scope of a dairy farm
operation/inspection extends beyond the milkhouse, milking barn or parlor.
FDA believes the following areas are part of the milking operation: any area
reasonably expected to contain drugs used to treat lactating animals, lactating
animals that may soon be placed in or returned to the milking herd, or other
lactating animal intended for milk production (replacement heifers). Private
residences and vehicles are not included without the permission of the owner
or their authorized agent.

4. Occasionally, inspections should be made at milking time to determine compli-
ance with milking practices. Each dairy farm permitted should have at least
one inspection made during milking time on their official inspection records.

On larger dairies milking 15 - 20 hours per day the regulatory inspection
should be planned to include "down time" or non-milking time inspections.
This is to provide the inspector an opportunity to examine milk contact
surfaces of equipment for construction and cleanliness.

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