NRS Brochure - Sheep meat program

2007–2008 sheepmeat program
Chemical residue monitoring results

Overview

The National Residue Survey (NRS) was originally established in 1961 following concerns about pesticide residues in exported meat. Today, NRS tests for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and environmental contaminants in 25 animal and 25 plant commodities including five horticultural products.

Since 1993, NRS has operated on full cost recovery, and is funded principally by levies from participating industries. The Australian Government provides funding for NRS national and international residue commitments that provide benefits for the community, for industry and for government programs.

During 2007–2008, 5 065 samples of sheepmeat were collected and analysed for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and environmental contaminants.

There were no residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals detected at levels above the Australian standard (100 per cent compliance). Of the 5 065 samples tested, only 20 contained environmental contaminants (metals).

Sampling

The NRS sheepmeat residue testing program fulfils the requirements of both the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and those of international trading partners for export certification, and therefore market access. The NRS program also supports state and territory licensing of domestic processing facilities and industry quality assurance initiatives. The sampling plans are reviewed annually by NRS in close consultation with industry and AQIS before approval.

Sample collection rates of sheepmeat are based on production levels in Australia, or are directed by overseas market access requirements if the commodity is to be exported. NRS generates all requests for samples for residue monitoring.

Sheep and lamb products are sampled by authorised government officers at export abattoirs and by quality control staff at domestic abattoirs. The samples are sent from collection points to a central receival and dispatch facility within NRS, where they are sorted into batches and forwarded to appropriate contract laboratories for analysis.

In the sampling plan for random monitoring of sheepmeat, the allocation of samples to be taken at abattoirs is affected by the numbers of animals being slaughtered at each abattoir. The distribution of samples is designed so that the probability of an abattoir being selected for sampling is proportional to the commodity throughput of that abattoir. NRS sends sample requests to abattoirs each month, specifying the date, the class of animal, the tissue to be sampled (meat, fat, liver, urine or kidney) and the production period during which samples are to be taken. Animals for sampling are then selected at random along the slaughter chain.

Chemical screen and residue testing results 2007–2008

The purpose of the random monitoring program is to confirm the residue status of Australian sheepmeat and lamb, as specified by the maximum residue limits and maximum levels of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (ANZFSC).

Samples are tested against an agreed chemical screen that is developed in consultation with industry. If any sample shows a positive result for a chemical, further confirmatory testing is carried out. Any sample found to contravene the ANZFSC is traced back to its origin by relevant state and territory authorities and appropriate action taken.

The chemicals listed in the following table include those that may be used in animal production in Australia, as well as those that may be important in terms of international trade. Such chemicals include persistent chemicals such as organochlorines that are no longer used in Australian agriculture.

Comments on residue testing results 2007–2008

All samples tested were compliant with Australian Standards for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. There were 20 detections of environmental contaminants (metals). Of these, 15 were of cadmium in sheep liver. Such residues are common in older sheep in southern Australia. Only three were greater than the residue action level, and were found in old sheep. Five residues of lead were found in sheep liver: two were from access of the sheep to old batteries, one from access to lead-based paint and no obvious cause was found for the other two residues.

Laboratory performance evaluation and proficiency testing

NRS contracts analytical laboratories to perform the relevant residue analyses. Laboratories are proficiency tested in order to ensure the validity of analytical results.

NRS continues to be an accredited provider of proficiency testing schemes. Accreditation ensures that the NRS proficiency testing system is recognised within the laboratory community as meeting internationally accepted standards and having the ability to establish the technical competence of participating laboratories.

International maximum residue limits

NRS maintains international maximum residue limit tables for countries that are major export markets for Australian sheepmeat and lamb.

Maximum residue limits for sheepmeat

Contacts

General enquiries

Phone: +61 2 6272 4274
Fax: +61 2 6272 4023
Email the NRS
www.daff.gov.au/nrs

Postal address
National Residue Survey
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601

Manager animal product residue testing program
Phone: +61 2 6272 4019

Director National Residue Survey
Phone: +61 2 6272 5668