The Training Center of the State Scientific Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise (SSRILDVSE), with the support of the the Swiss-Ukrainian Programme “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP), has launched a series of distance learning courses.
The initiative aims to increase awareness among small and medium-sized producers, processors, and service providers regarding legislative requirements in the areas of food safety, animal health and welfare, as well as the implementation of the Raw Milk Control Programme.
The first online course, “The Concept of Risk Analysis and Risk Assessment in the Areas of Food Safety and Animal Health”, is designed for public sector professionals. It is based on the requirements of Ukrainian legislation and international standards, and explains the practical application of approaches to risk analysis, assessment and management.
The course covers the legislative framework, principles and approaches to qualitative, quantitative and rapid risk assessment, as well as the main stages of conducting such assessments. The programme consists of three modules and combines video lectures, supplementary materials and practical exercises. Registration for the course is available via the link (in Ukrainian only).
The second course – “Best Practices in Dairy Farm Management and Sanitary and Hygiene Requirements in the Milk Production Chain” – is aimed at operators in the milk and dairy products market, as well as service providers. Its goal is to enhance participants’ professional skills and promote the implementation of modern approaches to production management, quality assurance and the safety of raw milk.
During the course, participants will cover key topics:
- ensuring animal health and welfare;
- effective herd management;
- milk production hygiene;
- product traceability;
- record-keeping in accordance with legislation.
The course also consists of three modules and takes a comprehensive approach to learning the material. Registration is available via the link (in Ukrainian only).
The third course, “Laboratory Methods for Testing Raw Milk and Ensuring the Reliability of Results”, is designed for laboratory professionals involved in the system of quality and safety control of raw milk.
Its objective is to clarify the requirements of national and European legislation regarding the criteria applicable to raw milk, the control of which is regulated by law, as well as the principles and stages of conducting laboratory tests for total bacterial count, somatic cell count, residues of antimicrobial substances/antibiotics, and freezing point, as well as to enhance specialists’ knowledge regarding the assurance of the reliability of laboratory test results and the application of standard operating procedures within the framework of the Raw Milk Control Programme using the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection’s “Dairy Module” information and communication system. Registration for the course is available via the link (in Ukrainian only).
“In the context of European integration and the implementation of new food legislation in line with EU approaches which set high standards for the quality and safety of dairy products – there is a growing need for specialist technical expertise and practical skills within the dairy sector, both among food business operators and within state institutions and laboratories. This is why support during the initial stage of developing and implementing the Learning Management System (LMS) at the SSRILDVSE Training Centre has become a key initiative, laying the foundations for the sustainable development of vocational training in the sector. “The series of distance learning courses at the SSRILDVSE fosters a shared understanding of approaches to food safety and animal health and supports the consistent implementation of requirements under the Raw Milk Control Programme, and we are grateful to our partners for implementing this initiative”, said Iryna Vysotska, Deputy Local Manager of QFTP, Dairy Sector Component Coordinator of the Swiss-Ukrainian QFTP Programme.
The Learning Management System (LMS) at the SSRILDVSE Training Center and the training courses were developed with the support of Switzerland within the framework of the Swiss-Ukrainian Programme “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP), implemented by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL, Switzerland) in partnership with SAFOSO AG (Switzerland).