Australian sheepmeat :HML OLHS[O` HUK KLSPJPV\Z

Transcription

1 Australian sheepmeat :HML OLHS[O` HUK KLSPJPV\Z

2 Australia s sheepmeat safety program Integrity and traceability systems summary INTEGRITY Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) food safety and quality assurance Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) is an on-farm food safety and quality assurance certification program, providing standards to assist livestock producers to declare food safety and quality assurance status of livestock including chemical use and animal feeding. The LPA program requires livestock producers to use a National Vendor Declaration (NVD), with details of the vendor, including Property Identification Code (PIC) information preprinted on the NVD. Vendors providing false information face severe penalties. The LPA food safety standard is audited at random throughout the year. Farms in the quality assurance program are audited annually. Transport and saleyard TruckCare Applied to livestock transportation based on maximising animal welfare, meat quality and meat safety. National Saleyards Quality Assurance (NSQA) program Addresses the key quality issues/hazards within the saleyard sector. Processing plant Assessment and Monitoring Programs Export processing plants monitor process hygiene and product microbiological quality. Based on world s best practice, it is consistent with ISO 9002:1994 and HACCP. The Australian government authority, Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), verifies the legislation is being correctly implemented. The National Residue Survey (NRS) is an Australian government program that monitors meat for residues of agricultural, veterinary, environmental and industrial contaminants. AQIS Health Certificate Certifies that the meat produced by the export meat processor has received an ante-mortem and post-mortem veterinary inspection and is suitable for human consumption. TRACEABILITY The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia s system for the identification and tracing of sheep. This system has been mandatory since 1 January 2006, and uses NLIS accredited ear tags printed with the Property Identification Code (PIC), in conjunction with approved movement documentation. All sheep properties are allocated a unique identification number called the PIC. All sheep must be tagged. All sheep, irrespective of age, must be accompanied by government approved documentation when they move. The system facilitates trace-back to the property of birth. Saleyard When sheep pass through the saleyard, the agent holds copies of the accompanying documentation. Processing plant Underpinned by government legislation and operating in all export processing plants. Processing plants must ensure precise trace-back throughout the processing plant. Sheepmeat carcases must be correlated to the PIC numbers. Transport and shipping The container and seal numbers for all sheepmeat exports are stored in a central database by AQIS. Transport and shipping All shipping containers destined for export are inspected, with sea-freighted containers sealed under AQIS supervision. The container cannot be opened until it reaches its final destination.

3 Australia s sheepmeat safety systems Supplying over 100 markets globally, Australia is one of the world's largest sheepmeat exporters and we are proud of this achievement. The Australian livestock and meat industry is committed to food safety, integrity and traceability. Our product quality complements our focus on responsibility in meeting the demands of of our international customers. Australia has an internationally recognised status of of being free of all major epidemic diseases of sheep, including Scrapie and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). To maintain Australia s high product standards, the Australian sheep industry and all all levels of of government have have worked together to develop stringent standards and systems, designed to ensure the integrity and traceability of of the product. These standards and systems are based on an assessment of risk and sound science to meet the requirements of our international customers. The Australian government and and industry have have established SAFEMEAT, a committee consisting of of representatives from government and industry. SAFEMEAT s role is to ensure that all sheepmeat products achieve the highest safety and hygiene standards from the farm to the consumer. When When customers customers purchase purchase sheepmeat sheepmeat products products from from Australia, they are receiving products from from one one of of the the most most stringently controlled meat industries in in the world, with independently audited systems for animal production throughout the chain, including the transport, processing and export sectors. Australia s animal disease freedom Australia s animal disease freedom Australia has a widely accepted disease free status and is recognised as having the highest attainable level of animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) and being free from FMD. TSE is an incurable central nervous system illness that has been detected in a number of species, including humans. In- sheepmeat, sheep, the major the major TSE is TSE Scrapie. is Scrapie. Australia Australia has strict has strict quarantine measures and surveillance programs in place to meet international standards for the detection of TSE. The following steps have ensured that the Ausrtralian herd and flock has remained free from animal TSE, including Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Scrapie: 1952 A formal testing program for scrapie in the sheep industry commenced A ban was placed on the importation of meat and bone meal from all countries with the exception of New Zealand A ban was implemented on the importation of cattle from BSE affected countries, including the UK Commenced targeted testing for BSE in Australian cattle A ban was applied on the importation of cattle from France and Switzerland Implemented a voluntary ban on feeding of ruminant material to ruminants following a World Health Organization recommendation A compulsory ban on feeding of ruminant material to ruminants was adopted in all states and territories of Australia through legislation Adopted the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines for surveillance for BSE the surveillance program applies to both cattle and sheep The compulsory feeding ban was extended to include feeding specific mammalian material to ruminants Australia was recognised by the European Union Scientific Steering Committee to have the lowest possible risk of BSE detection (Level 1) Australia s Agricultural Ministers agreed to legislate a ban on the feeding of all vertebrate materials to ruminants a world first Australia was recognised by the European Food Safety Authority to have the lowest possible risk of BSE detection (Level 1) Australia was recognised by the OIE as a country free of BSE Australia was recognised by the OIE as having a 'negligible' BSE risk status. Aussie lamb

4 Australia s TSE status is further enhanced by the implementation of the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Freedom Freedom Assurance Program (TSEFAP). This This program program was was developed developed to meet the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) International Animal Health Health Code Code for for the the surveillance surveillance of Scrapie of Scrapie in sheep. TSEFAP integrates all TSE measures into into one one national program with clear and nationally integrated operational components and and a transparent funding framework, including: Targeted TSE surveillance (National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program), which involves identifying and testing sheep with clinical symptoms that that could be mistaken for TSE Ruminant feeding restrictions, including audit, feed sampling and testing Imported animal quarantine and surveillance scheme this includes all industry funded tracing tracing schemes and and the the quarantine of all susceptible animals (zoo and cattle) imported from countries that have later experienced TSEs Communications, including the production of advisory material for industry The Australian red meat industry recognises that it is vital to undertake monitoring and surveillance measures in order to protect Australia s TSE status. These measures are designed to ensure that Australia s trading partners continue to be confident about Australia s TSE-free status. Australia s TSE status is further enhanced by prohibitions on the use of meat and bonemeal (MBM) as an animal feed. Feeding MBM to animals has been linked as a cause of the transmission of TSE in animals. As a result of these programs and strict quarantine measures, Australia is recognised by the OIE as a negligible risk BSE country. Australia was one of the first countries to have this status in the world. Integrity and and traceability systems All sectors of Australia s sheepmeat industry from the farm, through to feedlots, transport, saleyards and processing plants are able to implement integrity and traceability systems that operate under independently audited Quality Assurance (QA) programs developed in in partnership with the the Australian industry, government and other relevant organisations. Integrity Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) food food safety safety & quality & quality assurance assurance The Australian sheep industry has developed integrity systems to verify and assure the food safety status and other quality attributes of livestock. Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) is an on-farm onfarm food safety and and Quality Assurance (QA) certification program. The LPA program was developed in accordance in with with ISO ISO 9002:1994 and HACCP principles as as the the production based based food safety and quality assurance program. Independent audits, both random and and targeted, are are conducted conducted to ensure to ensure the program s integrity is maintained. is The LPA onfarm on-farm food safety standard consists of a module, Food Safety Management. This module is is made up up of of five five elements, which are: 1 Property risk assessment 2 Safe and responsible animal treatments 3 Fodder crop, grain and pasture treatments and stock foods 4 Preparation for dispatch of livestock 5 Livestock transactions and movements

5 The LPA on-farm QA standard, incorporating the FLOCKCARE program, consists of the module Food Safety Management, plus an extra two modules, Systems Management and Livestock Management. Both of these modules are each made of five elements, which are: As the person responsible for the husbandry of the sheep, I also declare Following is the declaration vendors provide after they have that all the information in part A of this document is true and correct, that answered the questions within the NVD: I have read and understood all the questions that I have answered, that I have read and understood the explanatory notes, and that, while under my control, the sheep were not fed restricted animal material (including meat and bone meal) in breach of State or Territory legislation. Signed: Date: Phone: ( ) 1 Systems Management Training 1 Livestock Management Livestock husbandry and preparation *Only the person whose name appears above may sign this declaration, or make amendments which must be initialled. 2 Internal auditing and document control 2 Livestock handling facilities Quality records Document control Chemical inventory Livestock transport Animal welfare Accredited livestock National Vendor Declaration (NVD) for sheep Underpinning the LPA program is the National Vendor Declaration (NVD) for sheep; this links the traceability of the National Vendor Declaration (NVD) for sheep livestock from the farm, through to feedlots (where required), saleyards, Underpinning transport the LPA and program processing. is the The National NVD Vendor contains information Declaration about (NVD) the for sheep; location this of the links property, the traceability contact of details the of livestock the vendor, from the farm, Property through Identification to feedlots Code (where (PIC), required), exposure saleyards, of transport the livestock and processing. to agricultural The and NVD veterinary contains chemicals, information grazing about the history location and of supplementary the property, feeding. contact details The NVD of the declares vendor, that the Property the vendor Identification has met the Code requirements (PIC), of LPA exposure Food of Safety the livestock or LPA QA, to agricultural depending and on what veterinary program they chemicals, are involved grazing in. history and supplementary feeding. The NVD declares that the vendor has met the requirements of Below LPA Food is the Safety declaration or LPA vendors QA, depending provide on after what they program have answered they are involved the questions in. within the NVD: Following is the declaration vendors provide after they have answered the questions within the NVD: Traceability National Livestock Identification System (sheep) The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia s system for the identification and tracing of sheep. As the person responsible for the husbandry of the sheep, I also declare The that core all basis the information of Australia s in part A of this document is true and correct, that livestock I have read traceability and understood system all is the the questions that I have answered, that I Property have read Identification and understood Code the (PIC), explanatory notes, and that, while under which my underpins control, the sheep Australia s were not National fed restricted Vendor animal Declaration material (including (NVD) and meat the National and bone meal) Livestock in breach Identification of State or Territory System legislation. (NLIS) programs. The Signed: PIC system was introduced in the late 1960s Date: and identifies each Phone: property ( with ) an eight digit alphanumeric code. The code is issued by state governments and identifies the state, region and location *Only of the the person property. whose name appears above may sign this declaration, or make amendments which must be initialled. NLIS is the Australian traceability system and was developed by the Australian government and the red meat industry. The NLIS for sheep is based on the use of the PIC, the application of a visually Saleyard readable ear tag which records the PIC, and the use of approved documentation. The system facilitates trace-back to the property TruckCare of birth. TruckCare is a voluntary quality assurance program applied to livestock transportation and is centred on maximising animal welfare, meat quality and meat safety. Aussie lamb 0 4 National Saleyards Quality Assurance (NSQA) program The National Standard for the Construction and Operation of Australian Saleyards forms the basis of the National Saleyard Quality Assurance (NSQA) program. The Standard addresses the key quality issues/hazards within the saleyard sector including food safety, product quality, stock identification and traceability.

6 Processing plant A comprehensive level of activities to ensure integrity and traceability are carried out in processing plants. The Australian federal and state government organisations and industry conduct auditing and verification processes that form an integral part of Australian control systems. Elements of these systems are subject to Australian government legislation. In addition, sheepmeat processing plants have adopted quality assurance systems to suit country and customer requirements. The Australian Standard (AS) All export licensed processing plants operate under the Australian Standard (AS) for hygienic production and transportation of meat and meat products for human consumption (AS4696:2002) which is based on world s best practice and is consistent with the ISO 9002:1994 standard. Additionally, the Australian Federal Government mandated HACCP-based quality assurance programs to be adopted for all Australian export abattoirs since All registered abattoirs are required to have qualified veterinary personnel and inspectors stationed in each export meat abattoir to: carry out daily hygiene inspections before operations begin each day; monitor quality assurance and meat safety throughout the production process; and conduct ante-mortem and post-mortem health inspections to ensure the safety and suitability of products for human consumption. Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Licensed export meat processing plants in Australia are required to operate under the Export Control Act Under this Act, Export Control (Meat and Meat Product) Orders 2005 (The Orders) provide the framework for meeting the detailed legislative requirements that apply to export meat plants. The Orders govern all aspects of how meat is handled during processing. Each export meat abattoir has a veterinary officer from AQIS the Australian government agency responsible for meat hygiene, safety regulation and certification to verify that the legislation is being correctly implemented. AQIS Health Certificate Once the meat is ready for exporting, the processing plant will electronically request an AQIS Health Certificate. The AQIS Health Certificate states that sheepmeat produced was processed in a hygienic manner and was derived from animals which have been found by ante-mortem and post-mortem veterinary inspection to be free from diseases designated by the laws of the importing country and suitable in every way for human consumption. The AQIS Health Certificate includes information on the exporter, importer, processing plant, boning room, a description of the product including quantities, container marks/numbers, vessel or aircraft and the port of loading and discharge. The information obtained from the Health Certificate is stored by AQIS in a central database. Assessment and monitoring programs Product Hygiene Indicators Product Hygiene Indicators (PHI) verify industry performance against the outcomes required by the Australian Standard. Under the PHI program, objective measures of performance (Key Performance Indicators, KPIs) are collected by industry and are verified by AQIS and are used to monitor hygienic performance nationally and at individual establishments. KPIs include both macro and micro measurements of process and product hygiene. Generic E. coli and Salmonella Monitoring Program The generic E. coli and Salmonella Monitoring (ESAM) program is a KPI within the PHI. Under ESAM, carcass surfaces of all species of livestock slaughtered in Australia for export are tested for aerobic plate count, generic E. coli and Salmonella. National Residue Survey (NRS) The National Residue Survey (NRS) is an Australian government program that monitors agricultural products and meat producing animals for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals, as well as some environmental and industrial contaminants. Testing is carried out for a range of chemical compounds. The purpose of residue monitoring is to quantify the occurrence of residues in products and to verify that residues in products are within internationally accepted limits. Appropriate authorities are contacted when limits are exceeded, so that corrective action can be taken and affected product removed from the food chain. Current analytical technology can detect chemicals at very low concentrations. Traceability National Livestock Identification System (sheep) The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia s system for the identification and tracing of sheep. The core basis of Australia s livestock traceability system is the Property Identification Code (PIC), which underpins Australia s National Vendor Declaration (NVD) and the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) programs. The PIC system was introduced in the late 1960s and identifies each property with an eight digit alphanumeric code. The code is issued by state governments and identifies the state, region and location of the property.

7 NLIS Processing is the Australian traceability plant system and was developed by the The Australian primary responsibility government of and processors participating in the NLIS the traceability red meat program industry. is The to ensure NLIS that sheep are identified as for required, sheep and is based are accompanied on the use of by the appropriate documentation. the The PIC, processor the application holds copies of a of NLIS the documentation. accredited ear tag which records the On-plant PIC, and product the use of traceability approved documentation. The system facilitates Government trace-back legislation to the underpins property the traceability systems in all of Australian birth. sheepmeat export processing plants. Provisions under the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Orders 2005 require processors to implement traceability systems by accurately correlating the sheepmeat carcases with the PIC numbers for The primary responsibility of producers is to ensure that all sheep leaving identification. their property are identified with an NLIS accredited eartag, with approved movement documentation accurately completed. The information correlating the carcase and the PIC is stored on a database by the processing plant and ensures precise trace-back Saleyard through the processing plant from when the live animal arrives to The when primary the final responsibility sheepmeat products of stock agents are exported. in saleyards is to check that sheep are appropriately identified, and that the required documentation accompanies the sheep. The agent holds copies of the accompanying documentation. Transport and shipping Cartons Processing of sheepmeat are plant loaded into refrigerated containers, which are then inspected and sealed under the supervision of The primary responsibility of processors participating in the NLIS AQIS. The container is not reopened until it reaches its final traceability program is to ensure that sheep are identified as destination. To maintain the optimal shelf-life and quality of the required, and are accompanied by the appropriate documentation. sheepmeat product during transport, the temperature of chilled The processor holds copies of the documentation. sheepmeat should be maintained at 0 C (±1 C) and below -18 C On-plant for frozen product. traceability Government legislation underpins the traceability systems in all Australian Microbiological sheepmeat export processing assessment plants. Provisions and under the monitoring Export Control (Meat programs and Meat Products) Orders 2005 require In order processors to verify the to performance-based implement traceability monitoring systems systems by accurately that correlating underpin the the Australian sheepmeat Standards, carcases the with Australian the PIC numbers red meat for industry identification. and AQIS conduct regular assessment and monitoring programs. The information correlating the carcase and the PIC is stored on a Generic E. coli and Salmonella Monitoring Program database by the processing plant and ensures precise trace-back The through Generic the processing E. coli and Salmonella plant from Monitoring when the live Program animal is arrives a national to program when the of final microbiological sheepmeat products monitoring are of exported. carcase surfaces. Under the program, carcase surfaces of all species of livestock slaughtered in Australia Transport for export and are tested shipping for generic E. coli and salmonella. Cartons National of Residue sheepmeat Survey are loaded (NRS) into refrigerated containers, which are then inspected and sealed under the supervision of The National Residue Survey (NRS) is an Australian government AQIS. The container is not reopened until it reaches its final program that monitors agricultural products and meat producing destination. To maintain the optimal shelf-life and quality of the animals for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals, as well sheepmeat product during transport, the temperature of chilled as some environmental and industrial contaminants. Testing is sheepmeat should be maintained at 0 C (±1 C) and below -18 C carried out for a range of chemical compounds. The purpose of for frozen product. residue monitoring is to quantify the occurrence of residues in products and to verify that residues in products are within internationally Responsible accepted environmental limits. Appropriate authorities management are contacted when Australian limits red are meat exceeded, producers so that care corrective for and action manage can their be taken and affected environment product to sustainably removed from produce the food safe, chain. quality Current red analytical meat for over technology 100 countries can around detect chemicals the world. at very low concentrations. Management Since 1990 greenhouse gas of emissions the environment from Australia's sheep and cattle have decreased by 15% due largely to declining sheep Australian numbers. red Investment meat producers in research care and for technology and manage development their to environment improve feed to quality sustainably and the produce genetics safe, of sheep quality is red starting meat to for identify over 100 opportunities countries to around decrease the world. the amount of emissions while improving the efficiency and sustainability of sheep meat production. Since 1990 green house gas emissions from producing beef in Australia have is investing decreased significantly by 6.5% into per R&D kilogram. to improve Due to its improved productivity, environmental the position. age to market Research of animals into issues decreasing such waste while at the same management, time the farming amount systems, of meat being genetics, produced and feed from alternatives, each animal, on will average, help Australia is increasing further reduce due to more emissions efficient and production sustainably methods. supply red meat for customers around the world. Australia is investing significantly into R&D to improve it s environmental position. Research into issues as such waste management, farming systems, genetics, and feed alternatives, will help Australia further reduce emissions and sustainably supply red meat for customers around the world. Aussie lamb 0 6

8 Red meat safety website Regional websites Japan: Korea: US: China/SEA: Published by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) ABN November 2011 COPYRIGHT Meat & Livestock Australia All rights reserved. Care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information in the publication. However, MLA cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in the publication. Readers should rely on their own enquiries in making decisions concerning their interests. Meat & Livestock Australia Level Walker Street North Sydney NSW 2060 Tel Fax