The new kits were tested and approved for commingled milk samples. The producer does not have at his disposal tests which have been shown to be satisfactory for testing the milk from an individual cow prior to reintroducing her to the milking string. Testing is Not the Answer Above are just a few of the problems associated with efforts to ensure quality and safety by testing. The rest of the food industry and the manufacturing industries are rapidly becoming less dependent on testing as the mainstay of their quality programs. The 10-point Milk and Dairy Beef Residue Prevention Protocol has been designed to return the residue prevention activity to where it belongs to the producer level.
Antibiotic therapy takes place at the producer level.
Nothing the processor or the regulatory agency can do will prevent antibiotic residues from occurring in bulk tank milk, though they may be able to screen out some violative loads. The prevention of antibiotic residues sits squarely on the shoulders of the producer and his veterinarian. It is the producers' management practices and their exercise of control in antibiotic therapy programs which can prevent residues in the milk supply. The penalties for violations are severe. A producer may lose his permit to ship milk and with it his livelihood.