No crying over spilt milk - Aussies are warned to stock up in preparation for a nationwide dairy crisis
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Following news of major supermarkets failing to replenish their stock due to the latest COVID-19 outbreak, Australia’s supply chain crisis continues, now affecting supplies of milk and dairy.
Milk processing facilities across the country have warned Aussies to brace for a major shortage in dairy products as many key staff, including truck drivers, are being forced to isolate.
Australians are being warned to prepare for a possible milk shortage in supermarkets. Credit: MEGA.
Grant Crothers, president of the Australian Dairy Products Federation, said: “We’ve obviously got an extremely time-sensitive raw material that relies on an excellent supply chain to get it to the processing point.”
“Farmers milk their cows seven days a week, and they can’t store milk in a vat on their farm if the tanker doesn’t come to pick it up,” he added.
“You can leave a cow in a paddock, you can leave grain in a silo, but you can’t leave milk in a vat on a farm.”
“Supply could deteriorate any time; it’s a factory-by-factory, shift-by-shift scenario.”
It is reported that only a few dairy farmers have enough storage in their farms to safely store a day-and-a-half worth of milk production. Any longer than that and they would have to risk dumping the milk, which could trigger a whole lot of other issues such as contamination of the waterways.
Shelves are empty as major supermarkets experience shortages of milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, and meat. Credit: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock.
Thousands of workers are already reported to be isolating after close contact with infected individuals, which caused major disruption to supply chains of several essential industries.
The ongoing countrywide supply issues have already pushed some major food retailers, such as Coles, to enforce product limits on certain grocery items.
On Monday, Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) released preliminary advice which eased restrictions for workers in food and grocery supply.
Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) chief executive, Patrick Hutchinson, said: “We welcome the national cabinet’s endorsement today of the medical expert panel’s new set of arrangements, which allows workers who are close contacts to return to work if they have no symptoms and are fully vaccinated.”
Experts are also looking to expand the advice to other essential industries as well, such as the medical supply, aviation, and education sector.
Changes to AHPPC’s preliminary advice were consulted in a meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday.
Among the changes discussed is the assurance of a COVID-19 booster shot for essential services workers and regular rapid testings.
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