Meat Industries

The objective of the DRDPIFR Meat Industries project is to control the slaughter of animals and processing of meat for human consumption in order to:

• ensure the wholesomeness of meat and meat products, and
• prevent the substitution of pet meat for meat for human consumption.

The Meat Industries Act (1996) and Regulations provides the basis for the control of the Northern Territory meat industries.

The various Australian Standards for the meat industries are adopted under the Act by a ministerial gazettal. Listed below are the types of licences that can be issued under the Act.

Domestic Abattoir Licence  

The slaughtering of cattle, buffalo, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, deer and/or camels for the domestic market shall comply with:

• Australian Standard for the Construction of Premises Processing Animals for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Meat for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for the Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption

The slaughtering of crocodiles for the domestic market shall comply with:

• Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Crocodile Meat for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for the Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption

The slaughtering of rabbits for the domestic market shall comply with:

• Australian Standard for the Construction of Premises Processing Animals for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Rabbit Meat for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Meat for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for the Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption

Export Abattoir Licence 

The slaughtering of stock for the export market shall be in accordance with the Commonwealth Export Control Act 1982, supervised by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

Domestic Processing Licence 

The processing meat, derived from an animal slaughtered in an abattoir, for the domestic market the following Australian Standards shall comply with:

• Australian Standard for the Construction of Premises Processing Meat for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Meat for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for the Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption

Export Game Processing Licence 

The processing of game meat for the export market shall be in accordance with the Commonwealth Export Control Act 1982, supervised by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

Pet Meat Processing Licence 

The processing of pet meat shall be in accordance with the Regulations of the of the Meat Industries Act (1996).

Cold Store Licence 

The storage of domestic meat shall comply with:

• Australian Standard for the Construction of Premises Processing Meat for Human Consumption
• Australian Standard for the Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption

Game Meat Slaughter Licence 

The slaughter of game animals for the production of game meat shall comply with:

• Australian Standard for Hygienic Production of Game Meat for Human Consumption

Pet Meat Slaughter Licence 

The slaughtering of animals for the production of pet meat shall be in accordance with the Regulations of the Meat Industries Act (1996).

Australian Standards 

A steering group comprising Chairmen and Chief Executives of State and Territory meat hygiene authorities, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, meat industry organisations, food safety technical advisers and the Australia New Zealand Food Authority developed the Australian Standards.

The Standards provide for the implementation of quality assurance programs consistent with the ISO 9000 series.

Process control is achieved through the application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) methodology. This methodology allows flexibility in techniques and facilities, provided that standards relating to wholesomeness and safety have been met. The HACCP approach places the responsibility for the production of wholesome meat on both the industry and the regulatory authority.

The following Standards have been developed:

• Construction of Premises Processing Animals for Human Consumption
• Construction of Premises Processing Meat for Human Consumption
• Hygienic Production of Meat for Human Consumption
• Hygienic Production of Poultry Meat for Human Consumption
• Hygienic Production of Rabbit Meat for Human Consumption
• Hygienic Production of Game Meat for Human Consumption
• Hygienic Production of Crocodile Meat for Human Consumption
• Transportation of Meat for Human Consumption

Copies of the Standards are available for purchase from the Meat Industries Section of RDPIFR or from:

CSIRO Publishing
Postal Address: PO Box 1139,
Collingwood, Victoria 3066
Ph: (03) 9662 7500
Fax (03) 9662 7555

For further information relating to MEAT INDUSTRIES please contact:
DAVID FROST, Senior Meat Industries Officer (SMIO),
Ph:  08 8999 2255        Fax:  08 8999 2146        Email:  david.frost@nt.gov.au