Home PageTo Our Valued Livestock Suppliers
2004-12-08
Chemical residues in meat are a critical issue in regard to meat safety and human health. Many people are not aware that meat withholding periods following treatment of animals with veterinary chemicals or from spraying of crops can differ dramatically.
Please examine closely the label directions on every chemical that you may use to treat animals or spray crops with.
Normally you will be able to read:
• A meat withholding period (WHP) • An Export Slaughter Interval (ESI)
The meat withholding period (WHP) refers to the necessary time that must elapse between treatment and slaughter for the Australian or domestic market, the Export Slaughter Interval (ESI) the time between treatment and slaughter for the export market.
These can vary greatly. As an example, one cattle drench currently on the market has a meat withholding period of 49 days, but has an Export Slaughter Interval of 140 days. This ESI has been arrived at by scientific testing and assessing the level of risk and also takes in to account the importing country requirement. Most importing countries test meat they receive for chemical residues and extreme sanctions can be applied when these are over allowable limits.
We ask you to check chemical label directions, follow the withholding and ESI intervals, and ensure that all withholding periods have been met before consigning cattle to Greenham Tasmania. This information also needs to be transferred accurately to the National Vendor Declaration when ticking the boxes on this sheet.
Thank you for your co-operation, Greenhams are proud of the quality of the meat they produce and your assistance in keeping chemical residues out of the system is greatly appreciated. Adam Pretty
Livestock Manager.