Beef program 2008-2009

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 pesticides and veterinary medicines and environmental contaminants in 22 animal and 26 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’s national and international residue commitments that provide benefits for the community, for industry and for government programs.

Sampling

The NRS cattle residue testing program fulfils the requirements of both the Biosecurity Services Group (BSG) – formerly 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 BSG before approval.

Collection rates of samples 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.

Samples from cattle are taken 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.

Sample allocation for random monitoring of cattle is affected by the number 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, kidney or urine) and the production period during which samples are to be taken. Animals for sampling are then selected at random along the slaughter chain. During 2008–2009, 5 732 samples were collected from cattle and analysed for residues of pesticides, veterinary medicines and environmental contaminants.

Chemical screen and residue testing results 2008-2009

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

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 Code 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.

Residue testing results 2008-2009

Overall, the compliance rate with Australian Standards was 99.95%.

All but two of the 5 732 samples tested were compliant for residues of pesticides and veterinary medicines. In both cases, traceback investigations found no evidence of product misuse on farm. A further sample was found to contain cadmium above the Australian Standard of 1.25 mg/kg. However the level detected was below the residue action level set for cadmium, and therefore a traceback investigation was not required.

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 beef. These tables can be found on the NRS website.

Contacts

General enquiries

Phone: +61 (02) 6272 4274
Fax: +61 (02) 6272 4023
Email: National Residue Survey

Postal address:
National Residue Survey
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia

Director, National Residue Survey

Manager, animal product residue testing program