Meat Notice 2023-01 - Changes to Meat Hygiene Assessment- product monitoring program

NSFS reference:5

Issue date: Immediate

Date of effect: Immediate

Contact officer:

Jamie Conlan
Director, Meat Modernisation
Jamie.conlan@aff.gov.au

Purpose

This notice advises that all Tier 2 export registered meat establishments will be required to implement the MHA 3-product monitoring program by 30 June 2023. This notice provides advice regarding what is required of establishments to implement the new program, as well as background information regarding the MHA 3 program which was developed under the Meat hygiene assessment (MHA)-product monitoring program reform project.

Scope

This notice applies to all Tier 2 export registered meat establishments. Including the following:

• abattoirs, including fully integrated (slaughter, boning, chilling/freezing and storage) establishments
• independent boning rooms
• wild game meat establishments
• rabbit and ratite meat establishments.

Requirements

Approved arrangements

Approved arrangement(AA) holders will be required to update their approved arrangements to align with the new framework. These changes will be considered a significant variation as described in the Meat export policy: significant and non-significant variation of an Establishment approved arrangement by the holder under the Export Control Act 2020.

To apply for departmental approval to make a significant variation Holders must submit an Application to vary an establishment registration and/or approved arrangement (EX26b form).

The department will prioritise these applications to facilitate establishment transition by 30 June 2023. As a result, the EX26b workflow will vary and is outlined below:

1. The Holder of the AA will revise their respective standard operating procedures to meet the requirements of the revised MHA 3 framework. When completed, the EX26b application can be prepared. Where uncertainty or technical support is required, Holders are encouraged to consult with their OPV or ATM, as per the established process.
2. The Holder will submit their EX26b application along with supporting documentation via email (not via the export service portal) to:
   1. Their Field Operations Manager (FOM), and
   2. The Certification management group at exportestablishment@aff.gov.au, and
   3. Their Establishment area technical manager (ATM).

All emails must include “MHA 3 – Variation to AA” in the subject line to expedite processing.

The FOM will be responsible for assessment of all applications from establishment within their area of responsibility and have the delegation to grant approvals. The FOM will advise the Holder, ATM and OPV via email when approval to vary the approved arrangement has been granted.

The EX26 form can be accessed via:

• Completing the EX26b PDF form available on the departments website Application to vary an establishment registration and/or approved arrangement (EX26b) (agriculture.gov.au)

Holders are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the MHA 3 Industry trial-final report. The report provides a “How-to protocol” for Quality Assurance staff within the report’s appendix. This protocol forms the framework from which the revised MHA-product monitoring manual is being developed by the department through an established Industry consultation process. While the revised MHA-product monitoring manual undergoes the publication approval process, establishment management can utilise the report’s “How-to protocol” to develop their approved arrangements.

Holders of approved arrangements at establishments that participated in the industry trial and are currently operating under the MHA 3-product monitoring program, should review their approved arrangement to identify if revisions are required.

Jamie Conlan
Director (Meat Modernisation)
Export Meat Program