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Meat Industry Consultative Council

The Meat Industry Consultative Council (MICC) was established to provide the Minister for Primary Industries and the NSW Food Authority with a consistent and concise forum for consulting on matters relating to the Meat Food Safety Scheme. Specifically,

  1. the continuing operation of the food safety scheme
  2. any proposed amendment of the food safety scheme.

Its purpose is to consult with the NSW meat and poultry meat industry about the Meat Food Safety Scheme to ensure the production and sale of meat and poultry meat is safe and suitable for human consumption.

Section 105 of the Food Act 2003 requires the Food Authority to consult with industry sectors affected by a regulatory Food Safety Scheme.

Functions 

The MICC provides feedback to the Food Authority and the Minister for Primary Industries on industry issues including:

  • meat and poultry meat food safety policy and practices
  • labelling, handling and hygiene
  • investigating and prosecuting businesses and individuals engaged in deceptive or misleading conduct.

One of the MICC's key functions is to hold the Food Authority accountable for how the meat industry levy is expended.

Meetings

The MICC meets approximately every 6 months, with agenda items called for 1 month before each meeting.

Meeting outcomes

Key issues from council meetings are reported in Foodwise.

Contact your industry representative for more information.

Terms of Reference

The primary objective of the MICC is to contribute to the Food Authority’s goal of ensuring the production and sale of meat is safe and suitable for human consumption. It does this by advising on policy and practices introduced into meat food safety schemes and developed through a consultative process.

The MICC consults with the Food Authority on food safety schemes under the Food Act 2003 about the meat industry.

The MICC and the Food Authority will consult on all meat industry matters covered by the provisions of Food Regulation 2015. This may include:

  • consultation on emergency management preparedness for the sector
  • consultation on emerging and contentious issues and risks for food safety
  • seeking input into the development and implementation of national primary production food safety standards
  • consultation on other issues of interest to the meat industry such as labelling, lamb branding, health claims and industry based education
  • assistance in the design and conduct of industry specific product-based surveys
  • regulatory effectiveness.

Where appropriate, the MICC may establish sub-committees to address specific issues between scheduled MICC meetings.

In addressing issues the MICC will, where appropriate, take into account the policies and practices of interstate and overseas government food agencies and industry organisations. Where appropriate, members will provide industry updates and current issues at each MICC meeting.

The Food Authority may continue to provide the Minister with its own advice on issues that come before the MICC.

Charter & Procedural Guidelines

Membership

Representation Name Position Organisation Email
Chair - NSW Department of Primary Industries Dr Lisa Szabo Director, Food Safety - CEO NSW Food Authority   raquel.bonnar@dpi.nsw.gov.au (Senior Branch Support Officer) 
AMIC Representative Mr Craig Wright Member Relationship Officer Australian Meat Industry Council cwright@amic.org.au
Pork Industry Representative Dr Vaibhav Gole Manager Integrity Systems Australian Pork Limited vaibhav.gole@australianpork.com.au
NSW Farmers Representative - livestock producers Mr Ben Antenucci Senior Policy Advisor NSW Farmers Association antenuccib@nswfarmers.org.au
NSW Farmers Representative - poultry meat producers Ms Peta Easey Poultry Meat Manager NSW Farmers Association easeyp@nswfarmers.org.au
Poultry Meat Industry Representative Dr Vivien Kite Executive Director Australian Chicken Meat Federation vivien.kite@chicken.org.au
Duck Meat Industry Representative Mr John Houston CEO Pepe's Ducks Limited johnh@pepes.net.au
Large Poultry Meat Processor Dr Anthony Pavic Chief Scientific Officer Baiada Poultry Pty Limited tony.pavic@baiada.com.au
Large Poultry Meat Processor Mrs Susy Klein General Manager Quality and Food Safety Inghams Enterprises Pty Ltd sklein@inghams.com.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries Dr Sarah Britton NSW Chief Veterinary Officer & Group Director Animal Biosecurity   sarah.britton@dpi.nsw.gov.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries Ms Suzanne Robinson Director Animal Welfare   suzanne.robinson@dpi.nsw.gov.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries Mr Ian Sanders Director, International Engagement   ian.sanders@dpi.nsw.gov.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries Mr Peter Day Director, Compliance & Integrity Systems   peter.day@dpi.nsw.gov.au

MICC contact

Enquiries regarding the MICC can be made by contacting the relevant industry representative, or the NSW Food Authority helpline at: