AQIS MEAT NOTICE
NUMBER: 2009 / 14
NSFS Ref 16, 17
Date of Effect:
Date of Expiry:
23 March 2009
23 March 2010
RESIDUE MANAGEMENT IN INCOMING
LIVESTOCK - GUIDELINE
Contact Officers:
Anand Deo
Food Safety Manager
Meat Operations
02 6272 5864
Dugald MacLachlan
Manager
Chemical Residues APMAB
02 6272 3183
Anand.Deo@aqis.gov.au
Dugald.MacLachlan@aqis.gov.au
Distribution Category
 Central & Regional Office
Managers, Export Meat
Establishments
 OIC Inspection Staff
States
Meat Establishments
Last Notice on this issue
2006/06
IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE (to be completed by the On Plant Supervisor on the
AQIS file copy)
Date Received:
Initial Implementation Date:
Establishment Management Initials:
Date Discussed With Management:_________________
Date Completed:
AQIS OPS Initials: ___________
1.
PURPOSE
To advise export registered processors of requirements relating to the management of residues when
sourcing livestock for slaughter.
2.
SCOPE
This notice covers livestock sourced for slaughter at all export registered slaughtering establishments
This Notice replaces AQIS Meat Notice 2009/03.
3.
NOTICE STATUS
This notice constitutes a guideline issued by the Secretary in accordance with Clause 3.1 of Schedule
1 of the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Orders 2005 for the application of paragraph 6.1
of the Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat
Products for Human Consumption (AS 4696).
The attachment to this notice is to replace section 9 “Sourcing of Animals for Slaughter” of the
Approved Arrangement (AA) Guideline for Red Meat. When the AA Guideline published on
the AQIS web site is amended to include the attachment to this notice, this notice will be
rescinded.
18 Marcus Clarke Street GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 ph +61 2 6272 3933 www.aqis.gov.au
ABN 24 113 085 695
D E P A R T M E N T O F A G R I C U L T U R E, F I S H E R I E S A N D F O R E S T R Y
AQIS Meat Notice 2009/14 Residue Management in Incoming Livestock-Guideline
4.
BACKGROUND
The risks presented by residues in livestock submitted for slaughter must be managed to ensure
that residues in meat if present are under the maximum residue limit (MRL). In the past there
have been a number of examples of market failure due to residues in meat. It is the primary
responsibility of the person responsible for the husbandry of each animal submitted for
slaughter to use veterinary drugs and agricultural chemicals in accordance with the instructions
for use. With that in mind the authorities with responsibility for the registration of those drugs
and use of those chemicals and the industry associations representing the farmers and processors
have agreed to a system of vendor declarations underpinned by targeted and random residue
testing as well as on site farm audits.
Recently some sectors of the animal industries have asked whether a declaration about the
compliance of livestock submitted for slaughter with the necessary veterinary drug and
chemical regulations may be made on a seasonal basis with exceptions being noted with
individual loads when required. AQIS has raised this issue with the meat industry through the
Export Meat Industry Advisory Committee (EMIAC) and the view was that declarations about
compliance must be made on a consignment basis. SafeMeat and the producer peak bodies in
the meat farming sector also support this approach (e.g. Cattle Council, Sheepmeat Council and
Australian Pork Limited).
Legal advice obtained by AQIS indicated that declarations need to be made as close to the
event(s) that the declarations pertain to. Making the declaration too far in advance becomes a
statement of intent rather than a specific declaration about the livestock at that point in time.
For some markets, specific declarations are required on certificates regarding chemical residues
(agricultural pesticides, veterinary drugs and chemical contaminants). In some cases these must
be made on the basis of declarations made to an individual animal as opposed to a mob. Some
markets also required that in the event of a chemical residue detection that individual animal (as
opposed to the lot) is able to be traced back to a property of origin (this can also be a
requirement for animal disease trace back). An example of a market that has this requirement is
the European Union.
Animals that have essentially been unhusbanded can only have declarations made about them
back to the point and time where they have been trapped or captured. The new Note 2 in the
AA amendment makes this point. It covers issues that have emerged with rangeland goats,
capture of brumbies or feral pigs.
Additional references to the various National Vendor Declarations (e.g. LPA, PigPass) and to
Export Intervals (ESI, EGI, EAFI) has been provided, as well as a reference to surveillance
(targeted) sampling, monitoring and testing programs endorsed by AQIS. This is a direct
reference to AS 4696 Clause 6.1 (c). This endorsement normally comes through EMIAC and/or
SafeMeat and is has been expressed through various AQIS notices.
There is also the inclusion of a new note at the end of the targets to explain the thinking behind
the approach and to provide some guidance on what may need to happen when the nationally
endorsed system is not used. The example quoted is one to which industry have already agreed.
This proposal should not increase the cost of compliance for processors or producers as it
reflects current accepted practice and is necessary to underpin certification. It may increase the
cost to those producers and/or processors who do not want to subscribe to the National system
Page 2 of 7
AQIS Meat Notice 2009/14 Residue Management in Incoming Livestock-Guideline
or those who have not had an equivalent system approved through the animal sourcing section
of their AA.
5.
DEFINITIONS
Export Slaughter Interval (ESI):
Veterinary drug - is the time that should elapse between administration of a veterinary
chemical to animals and their slaughter for export.
Agricultural pesticide - The minimum period that must elapse between removal of grazing
livestock to clean pasture or feed and slaughter for export, where the livestock have been
grazing the crop/pasture prior to expiry of the export animal feed interval.
Export Grazing Interval (EGI):
The minimum period that must elapse between the application of a chemical and slaughter
of the stock for export, where grazing has continued on the crop/pasture from the time the
chemical was applied.
Export Animal Feed Interval (EAFI):
The minimum period that must elapse between the application of a chemical and grazing
or harvesting the crop/pasture for animal feed
6.
REQUIREMENTS
6.1 Amendment to the AA Guideline for Red Meat
The attachment to this notice replaces section 9 “Sourcing of Animals for Slaughter” of the AA
Guideline for Red Meat.
6.2 Legal requirement for the sourcing of animals for slaughter
The Australian Standard 4696 subclause 6.1 requires that:
Source of supply
6.1
Animals for slaughter for meat and meat products for human
consumption (other than animals captured in the wild) are sourced
only from holdings:
(a) where animals are raised according to good animal husbandry
practices and are not fed feedstuffs that could jeopardise the
wholesomeness of meat and meat products derived from the
animals; and
(b) that have a system in place that is capable of reliably identifying
any disease, defect or treatment of animals which could affect
their fitness for slaughter; and
(c) that comply with surveillance (targeted) sampling, monitoring
and testing programs (including the National Residue Survey
monitoring programs) that:
(i) are endorsed by a Commonwealth, State or Territory
authority; and
(ii) apply to the holding.
6.2
Animals for slaughter for meat and meat products for human
consumption are sourced only from a holding that has a system in
place that is capable of:
(a) for ovines, caprines and cervidae admitted by a meat business as
part of a consignment of animals— reliably providing a list of:
Page 3 of 7
AQIS Meat Notice 2009/14 Residue Management in Incoming Livestock-Guideline
(b)
(i) the places of production or the saleyards of the
animals in the consignment; or
(ii) if the animals are captured in the wild—all the areas
from which the animals in the consignment were
captured; and
for other animals—identifying:
(i) the place of production of each animal; or
(ii) if the animals are captured in the wild—the area from
which each animal was captured.
7.
RESPONSIBILITIES
7.1 Occupier
Occupiers must:
a) Review the AA to identify areas that do not meet the requirements of the amendment to
Section 9 of the AA Guideline; and
b) Amend the AA where non-compliances are identified.
7.2 AQIS On Plant Supervisor
a) Review any proposed amendment against the new section 9 of the AA Guideline.
b) Recommend the amendment to the Area Technical Manager for approval if acceptable.
c) Monitor compliance with the AA and required corrective actions following detection of
non-compliance.
7.3 AQIS Area Technical Manager
a) Assess establishment’s application for variation of the AA.
b) Endorse National Establishment Verification System entries by the OPS as valid by
signing and dating relevant monitoring records.
8.
REFERENCES
Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for
Human Consumption – AS 4696.
Colin Hunter
General Manager - Food Exports
Page 4 of 7
AQIS Meat Notice 2009/14 Residue Management in Incoming Livestock-Guideline
9 .
S o u r c i n g
o f
a n i m a l s
f o r
s l a u g h t e r
Outcome
Livestock presented for slaughter are sourced from holdings where the management of animals
does not jeopardise wholesomeness of derived meat and meat products.
Legal Base (in addition to ECA and AS 4696)
Withholding Periods
State regulations for stock control
References
NVD (Cattle) and Waybill http://www.mla.com.au/
NVD (Sheep and lambs) and Waybill http://www.mla.com.au/
NVD (EU Cattle) and Waybill http://www.mla.com.au/
NVD (Goats) and Waybill http://www.mla.com.au/
LPA Bobby Calf NVD http://www.mla.com.au/
PigPass NVD http://www.apl.au.com/
Export Slaughter Intervals –
 Cattle and Sheep http://www.apvma.gov.au/residues/ESI.shtml
 Pigs http://www.pigpass.com.au/documents/ESI.pdf
Surveillance (targeted) sampling, monitoring and testing programs endorsed by AQIS
Performance Indicators
1.
Livestock in the consignment are identifiable back to the last holding up to the point the
carcases are passed fit for human consumption.
2.
Livestock in the consignment do not contain residues in excess of permitted level(s).
3.
Livestock in the consignment have not been fed feedstuffs that would jeopardise
wholesomeness of resulting meat and meat products.
4.
Livestock in the consignment do not have diseases and/or conditions that could affect their
suitability for slaughter.
PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST:
9. SOURCING OF ANIMALS FOR SLAUGHTER
CAN THE ENTERPRISE DEMONSTRATE THAT:
9.1
THE ESTABLISHMENT HAS A DOCUMENTED PROCEDURE FOR THE SOURCING OF ANIMALS FOR SLAUGHTER. THIS
PROCEDURE ENSURES:
A)
LIVESTOCK ARE IDENTIFIED TO THEIR LAST HOLDING UP UNTIL THE RESULTANT CARCASE IS PASSED FIT FOR
B)
C)
D)
HUMAN CONSUMPTION
LIVESTOCK FROM HOLDINGS IDENTIFIED FOR SURVEILLANCE (TARGETED), SAMPLING, MONITORING AND TESTING
PROGRAMS ARE ONLY PROCESSED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION ONCE TESTING REQUIREMENTS ARE SATISFIED
THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HUSBANDRY OF THE LIVESTOCK AT THE HOLDING ATTESTS TO WHETHER OR
NOT WITHHOLDING PERIODS (OR EXPORT INTERVALS WHEN REQUIRED FOR PARTICULAR MARKETS) FOLLOWING
TREATMENT WITH ANY VETERINARY DRUG OR CHEMICAL OR CONSUMPTION OF ANY FEED HAVE BEEN MET.
PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HUSBANDRY OF LIVESTOCK AT THE LAST HOLDING ATTESTS THAT LIVESTOCK ARE
NOT SUBJECT TO ANIMAL HEALTH OR DISEASE CONTROLS AND HAVE NOT BEEN FED FEEDSTUFFS WHICH MAY
JEOPARDISE WHOLESOMENESS OF RESULTING MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS.
Page 5 of 7
AQIS Meat Notice 2009/14 Residue Management in Incoming Livestock-Guideline
9.3
ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION ON THE NATIONAL VENDOR DECLARATION (NVD) OR EQUIVALENT IS AVAILABLE FOR ANTE
MORTEM AND POST MORTEM INSPECTIONS
THE PROCEDURE ADDRESSES CORRECTIVE ACTION?
9.4
THE PROCEDURE ADDRESSES THE FREQUENCY OF THE TASKS INCLUDING MONITORING AND VERIFICATION?
9.5
THE PROCEDURE IDENTIFIES THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TASKS INCLUDING THE TASKS OF MONITORING OR
VERIFICATION?
THE RECORDS OF THE PROCEDURES AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TAKEN IN EACH INSTANCE ARE BEING MAINTAINED?
9.2
9.6
Item
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
Target
There is a sourcing program, that ensures:
a) Last holding is identified by Property Identification Code or other state approved
system. This may be obtained from NVD (or equivalent), and/or NLIS device.
Correlation of this to body number has to be maintained until post mortem disposition
is completed
 For cattle/horses the correlation is to the individual animals identification.
 For sheep/goats/deer the correlation is to the mob.
Note 1: For sheep, deer and goats the last holding can be a saleyard.
 For some markets (e.g. EU), that last holding must be the place of
production (not a saleyard
 For the EU the correlation at the point of PM disposition for husbanded
sheep must be to the individual animal identification and NVD.
References
AS 4696 - 6
AS 4696 – 3.15, 6.2
b) Livestock do not have residues in excess of permitted levels or been fed banned
feeds or substances.
AS 4696 – 6.1, 6.8
On a consignment basis, livestock are covered by a correctly completed vendor
declaration dated at time of dispatch. The NVD must include necessary attestations to
cover husbandry and veterinary practices from a person responsible for the livestock.
Alternatively a system equivalent to this is in place. There should be a system(s) to
verify these attestations (recognised systems include LPA, NFAS, APIQ, PigPass)
Note1: NRS, NORM, NARM, TART, START may be appropriate in some cases, as part
of a national random or targeted surveillance program.
Note 2: Unhusbanded animals such as rangeland goats, wild horses or feral pigs only
require declarations that cover back to the area and time of trapping or capture
AS 4696 – 3.12, 3.13, 6.1(c)
c) For cattle, interrogation of PIC against the NLIS database identifies testing
requirements. NVD responses may also identify testing requirements (e.g. endosulfan,
organochlorine residues)
AS 4696 – 3.12, 3.13, 6.1(c)
d) For cattle, procedures are in place to identify an individual animal’s status through
the NLIS database (eg. Ruminant Animal Material fed, imported, grazed on areas
treated with sewerage, affected or suspected of being affected by a contagious or
notifiable disease) that may preclude slaughter, be slaughtered subject to conditions or
affect market eligibility.
AS 4696 – 6.7
Animals are not submitted for slaughter if animals are affected by any disease or
abnormality that could jeopardise the wholesomeness of meat and meat products
derived from it or the slaughter and processing could contaminate other animals or
meat.
Relevant information available at antemortem (from NVD, waybills, special movement
permits, NLIS database etc)
The procedure addresses corrective action
The procedure addresses the frequency of the tasks
The procedure identifies those responsible for the tasks
Records of incoming declarations, waybills, database interrogations, kill sheets,
corrective action, verifications of those actions are kept
AS 4696 – 6.9
Page 6 of 7
AS 4696 – 6.2, 6.13, 16.3
AS 4696 - 6.2(b)
AS 4696 - 6.2(a) (i)
AS 4696 - 6.2(a) (ii)
AS 4696 – 6.13, 8.6
AS 4696 – 3.7
AS 4696 – 3.3, 3.6
AS 4696 – 3.5
EC(MMP)O Schedule 2 – 7.1
AS 4696 - 18
AQIS Meat Notice 2009/14 Residue Management in Incoming Livestock-Guideline
Nationally endorsed (through peak councils such as SafeMeat and EMIAC) on farm management
programs such as LPA, APIQ, PigPass that are independently verified are recognised as being effective
methods of managing veterinary drug and chemical residue risk in livestock. Various surveillance
(targeted) programs have been developed in conjunction with these farm management programs to verify
their effectiveness in controlling the identified risks e.g. NARM, NORM
If the holding is not accredited under a relevant program, processors will have to assess the risk status of
incoming livestock, steps taken to manage the risk and show how that has been done through their
Approved Arrangement.
For example cattle that are not raised under a nationally endorsed farm management program that
addresses organochlorine residues may be of unknown risk and their status could be assessed by testing
sentinel animals from each lot. If a residue test returns results ≥ ½ MRL, the processor could:
(i) Test all the companion animals for residues and make disposition decisions based on the test results;
or
(ii) Give the vendor the option of returning the cattle to their property of origin or some other nominated
property approved by relevant State or Territory authorities.
Page 7 of 7