Meat

Overview

Australia has approximately 27.9 million head of cattle and 72.7 million head of sheep. Exports of beef and veal earn around $4.1 billion (2009-10) (Source: Meat and Livestock Australia 17/03/11).

The NSW Food Authority's work in this well established industry comprises regular audits and inspections of licensed businesses to ensure ongoing compliance with food standards.

Industry news

• Beef labelling legislation introduced 31 August 2010
• New beef labelling rules announced by Minister 3 August 2010
• Papers from the summit Dealing with Listeria in the processed meat and poultry industries

Read the latest news from the Authority in Foodwise

• current issue

Regulations

General

The NSW meat industry is regulated by the Food Act 2003 (NSW) and Food Regulation 2010.

Meat businesses listed below must hold a NSW Food Authority licence to operate. All other food businesses are required to notify their business to the Authority.

The Food Act 2003 brings into force the Food Standards Code and meat businesses must comply with relevant parts.

The Regulation imposes food safety programs on all red meat, poultry, game and rabbit meats handled at:

• retail meat premises
• meat vans
• game meat harvesters' vehicles & field chillers
• meat processing plants
• knackeries & rendering plants
• domestic & export abattoirs

Additional requirements and guides for specific types of meat businesses are set out below.

Guides, Food Safety Programs & standards for specific meat businesses

Businesses in the NSW meat industry must also comply with the relevant parts of the following guides and standards:

• NSW Food Safety Schemes Manual pdf, 358 KB
• NSW Retail Meat Food Safety Program (pdf 1.38MB)
• NSW Standard for Construction and Hygienic Operation of Retail Meat Premises (pdf 94 KB)
• Listeria Management Program (pdf 239KB)
• Poultry Processing (Abattoir) Australian Standard for the Construction of Premises and Hygienic Production of Poultry Meat for Human Consumption (AS 4465 : 2005)
• Rabbit Processing (Abattoir) Australian Standard for Production of Rabbit Meat for Human Consumption (AS 4466 : 1998)
• Ratite (Emu/Ostrich) Processing Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production of Ratite (Emu / Ostrich) Meat for Human Consumption (AS 5010 : 2001)
• Red Meat Processing (Abattoir) and Transportation Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption (AS 4696 : 2007)
• Rendering Plant Australian Standard for Hygienic Rendering of Animal Products (AS 5008 : 2007)
• Preservative use in processed meats
• Production of Natural Casings Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production of Natural Casings for Human Consumption (AS 5011 : 2001)
• Production of Pet Meat Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production of Pet Meat (PISC Technical Report 88 - Amended 2009)
• Production of Wild Game Meat Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production of Wild Game Meat for Human Consumption (AS 4464:2007, replaces AS4464:1997)
• Wild Game Meat Field Depot Food Safety Program (pdf, 3MB)

Compliance circulars

The Authority issues general circulars from time to time to inform businesses about developments in industry regulation and to remind businesses about particular food safety standards and requirements.

Full list of circulars is available.

• 05/2012 Training requirements for read meat domestic abattoirs (pdf, 126KB)
• 04/2012 Changes to game meat field harvester vehicle audit program (pdf, 55KB)
• 01/2012 Management responsibilities for animal welfare at abattoris (pdf, 97KB)
• 04/2011 Audits of export registered establishments in NSW (pdf, 112KB)
• 02/2011 Invitation to apply to move to the Regulatory Food Safety Auditor System (pdf, 58KB)
• 01/2011 Performance audit program (pdf, 39KB)
• 09/2010 Commencement of beef labelling requirements (pdf, 133KB)
• 08/2010 Increased cases of Cysticercus bovis reported in NSW (pdf, 117KB)
• 07/2010 Approval of meat safety inspectors at domestic abattoirs (pdf, 41KB)
• 01/2010 Revised food safety program and commencement of auditing for field depots (pdf, 39KB)
• 06/2008 - Listeria Management Program Booklet (pdf, 54KB)
• 05/2008 - Revised documents for use in retail meat premises (pdf, 64KB)
• 04/2008 - Regulatory guidelines for the control of Listeria (pdf, 60KB)
  • MSC 03/2008 Regulatory guidelines for the control of Listeria (Meat Standards Committee of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council of Australia) (pdf, 87KB)
• 02/2006 - Compliance with National Livestock Identification Scheme (pdf, 94KB)

Licence application forms

• for food premises to process/store meat (LIC003) pdf, 131 KB
• for food transport vehicles (LIC007) pdf, 135 KB

Meat industry levy and industry consultation

The meat industry levy contributes to food safety in the industry. It is paid by producers via Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA). A formal industry consultative arrangement exists to ensure accountability in how the levy is spent.

• Further information on meat industry levy, Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) and the Meat Industry Consultative Council
• Meat Industry Consultative Council