Joint media statement from Australian Pork Limited (APL) and the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC)
11 July 2006
The Australian pork industry's food safety and traceability arrangements will be enhanced through the roll out of a national vendor declaration and waybill, named PigPass.
This follows endorsement of PigPass at a meeting of producers, processors and smallgoods sectors on 5 July 2006.
PigPass was developed by a broad based industry and government group, coordinated by APL, comprising representatives of producers, processors, saleyards, agents, livestock transporters and stockfeed sectors together with government agency representatives under the Commonwealth funded Pig Traceability Project. This project aims to ensure Australia’s pig industry is proactive in its ability to identify and respond to any exotic disease issues. It will also enhance the industry’s ability to trace and respond to any food safety risks associated with Australia’s pork industry.
Key information on producer husbandry practices, including veterinary medicines use, will be recorded on the PigPass.
PigPass will be rolled out over a 6 month period from 17 July 2006, and will be fully implemented by 1 January 2007. Pigs will be required to have a PigPass to travel and be traded under the new system.
The joint industry meeting of 5 July also agreed that the PigPass will be linked to a certified on-farm quality assurance program eg Australian Pork Industry Quality (APIQ) by 1 January 2007. This is consistent with recent changes for export processing establishments requiring pigs to be sourced from APIQ certified farms or equivalent, with a declaration provided by the vendor.
The meeting also agreed to improvements to processor traceability of pork to enable the industry to respond quickly in the event of a market related issue.
The new arrangements are intended to apply to all establishments processing pork for the export and domestic markets.
PigPass forms, together with explanatory notes, will be available in the first instance from processors and from the APL website at www.australianpork.com.au.
Australia’s pig industry jointly applauds the industry driven initiative of rolling out the PigPass. It is confident full implementation will be achieved by 1 January 2007 as part of the ongoing industry push to ensure Australian pork retains its image in the eyes of our customers as an affordable, healthy, lean protein that forms part of a balanced diet.
For further information contact:
Bill Salter OR Kevin Cottrill APL Traceability and Systems Chief Executive Officer Integration Manager AMIC T: 02 6285 2200 02 9086 2211 M: 0419 834 900 0438 100 226
Cnr Denison St & Geil Crt Deakin ACT 2600 | PO Box 148 Deakin West ACT 2600 Telephone 02 6285 2200 | Facsimile 02 6285 2288 | www.australianpork.com.au Email:
