Frequently asked questions
- How is meat labelling regulated in Australia?
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For information on meat labelling requirements in Australia, refer to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website or contact your state-based Meat Hygiene Authority.
- What are Hormone Growth Promotants (HGPs) and does Australia use them?
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Hormone Growth Promotants (HGPs) are supplements of naturally occurring hormones that are found in most animal and plant life. They are slow-release implants that contain natural or synthetic hormones used to improve growth rates and feed efficiency in the cattle industry.
These hormones are naturally present in all meat. HGPs cause no harm to the animal being implanted and research has shown meat treated with HGPs is safe for human consumption.
HGPs have been used in Australia since 1979 and are used in most major beef producing countries around the world including the United States.
The use of HGPs is strictly regulated and all HGP products must go through a rigorous accreditation process which is administered by the Australian Government agency the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
- What are the requirements for Russian market eligibility?
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To meet Russian market access requirements SAFEMEAT is implementing a 90 day Provisional Russian Export Slaughter Interval (ESI) for products and feed containing oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline – effective 1 January 2012.
Producers must now declare the status of their livestock against this ESI by correctly completing the Livestock Production Assurance National Vendor Declaration and Waybill (LPA NVD/Waybill). Producers who do not use products or feed containing oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline or comply with the 90 day ESI must write the words ‘Russian Eligible’ on the LPA NVD/Waybill under Question 9 for cattle, Question 8 for EU cattle and Question 7 for sheep.
Where ‘Russian Eligible’ is written on the LPA NVD/Waybill it means that the livestock have not been injected with or ingested feed products containing oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline in the last 90 days.
meat safety in australia
Supplying over 100 markets globally, Australia is one of the world’s largest red meat exporters. The Australian red meat and livestock industry is committed to food safety, integrity and traceability.
Australia has an internationally recognised status of being free from all major epidemic diseases of sheep and cattle including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Scrapie and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)
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Important advice for livestock producers – Russian market eligibility: LPA NVD Requirements, Revised
09-Mar-2012 -
For Russian Market Access Detection of oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline residues in meat or offal in Russia will result in the meat processor, and potentially Australia, being banned from that market. Russia is Australia’s fourth most important market. To meet Russian market a... READ MORE
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Plague locust control operations 2010
28-Sep-2010 -
Livestock, feed and fodder could be exposed to the chemicals used in plague locust controls and could cause unacceptable levels of chemical residues. For the latest information brochures about Plague Locusts and Wingless Grasshoppers and how to avoid the risks of residues in meat due to plague l... READ MORE
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The facts about BSE and potential beef imports to Australia
26-Feb-2010 -
On 20 October 2009, the Australian Government announced a change in Australia’s bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) food safety policy for imported beef and beef products setting new requirements for countries that wish to export beef and beef products to Australia. The new policy c... READ MORE
