A Practical Training on EU Compliance Was Held at the Goat Farm and Cheese Factory of TM Zinka
As part of the training course “Preparation of SMEs for the assessment of food business operator’s establishments for compliance with EU requirements”, a practical training session was conducted at the primary milk production and processing facilities of TM “Zinka” (Kyiv region).
The purpose of the training was to apply the knowledge gained during the online sessions to the practical aspects of implementing EU food legislation requirements.
Participants gained hands-on experience in assessing production establishments using checklists outlined in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for evaluating compliance of food business operators’ establishments with EU requirements, as well as for their inclusion, suspension, or removal from the list of food exporters to EU member states.
The inspection of the establishments enabled participants to better understand how to adapt EU requirements to small processors.
During the training, participants practiced key assessment elements, including:
- prevention of cross-contamination;
- traceability and labeling;
- hygiene conditions of premises;
- organisation of production control;
- temperature monitoring and calibration of measuring equipment.
Participants emphasised the importance of validated pasteurisation parameters, the availability of test samples for metal detectors, and the necessity of including these steps in HACCP flowcharts and documentation.
The training underlined the need not only for having procedures in place, but also for documented evidence of their effectiveness—particularly regarding cleaning, pest control, traceability, temperature regimes, and more.
“This kind of practical training is crucial for preparing small and medium enterprises for inspections by the competent authority and for inclusion in the list of exporters. In the long term, it contributes to the broader goal of EU integration, expands opportunities for participation in international competitions and trade fairs, and boosts the trade potential of participants by preparing them for entry into EU markets,” said Iryna Vysotska, Deputy Local Manager, Dairy Sector Component Coordinator of the Swiss-Ukrainian Programme “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (Quality FOOD Trade Programme).
The advanced training course “Preparation of SMEs for the assessment of food business operator’s establishments for compliance with EU requirements” was developed with support from QFTP and is being conducted in a blended format from March to November 2025. The course includes 18 online sessions featuring practical assignments and follow-up consultations. The training aims to build the capacity of public and private service providers and associations in the dairy sector, promote awareness, encourage the adoption of good practices among milk processors, add value to products, and support trade development.
