The National Saleyard Quality Assurance (NSQA) program, as its name suggests, is a quality assurance program for Australian livestock saleyards. To be a fully accredited, a saleyard must comply in full with the requirements of the National Standard which clearly defines the minimum acceptable standard for saleyard operations in consideration of improved performance, the health and safety of stakeholders, the welfare of animals within the saleyards and broader environmental issues. The majority of Australia’s large saleyards are accredited NSQA saleyards.
The National Standard for the Construction and Operation of Australian Saleyards is designed to underpin the NSQA Program through documenting the required standards for saleyard operations. In so doing, the Standard addresses the key quality issues/hazards within the saleyard sector, namely:
- Food safety
- Product quality
- Stock identification and traceability
- Stakeholder satisfaction with services provided
This Standard has been developed through broad industry consultation. Key information inputs include state-based industry standards and codes and the best technical and research information available.
The guidelines seek to follow the flow of activities through the saleyard from stock delivery to final dispatch. The elements of the Standard pertaining to food safety include:
- Watering facilities
Water of an acceptable quality shall be provided in all paddocks, yards and pens, except sheep selling pens; operational areas; where troughs will inhibit flow of animals within the yards; and single bull pens where bulls may be off water for a maximum of 12 hours.
- Feeding Facilities
Stock are not deprived of feed for a period likely to cause distress and negatively impact on stock. Only feed of known status is provided in saleyards. Written confirmation of status must be provided by the vendor.
- Veterinary facilities
Veterinary facilities are provided with a veterinary surgeon on call to attend the market at very short notice.
- Chemical Control
Use of chemicals, including stock treatments (dipping of stock), herbicides, pesticides, insecticides and rodenticides within the saleyard are closely controlled by suitably trained personnel and appropriate records kept.
- Cleaning of facilities
Facilities are maintained in such as way to ensure clean stock remain in that condition within the saleyard, and to ensure public amenity is not affected by flies and odour.
- Truck wash facilities
Truck cleaning facilities to enable effective cleaning of vehicles are provided at all saleyards where there are 25 sales or more per year.
Alternative facilities provided and available within the proximity of a saleyard are acceptable. Where truck wash facilities are provided a clear notice of operating hours is displayed.
- Effluent disposal
Effluent from saleyards and truck wash facilities is treated to comply with relevant environmental codes and legislation.
- NVD management
Saleyards are responsible for checking NVDs for completeness and that NVD information is accurately transcribed to pre-sale catalogues and/or post sale summaries as appropriate.
- Stock identification
Stock identification procedures ensure full stock traceability is maintained throughout the saleyard process:
- Cattle - all stock shall be identified with official Property Identification Code tags.
- Sheep - sheep shall be identified on a mob basis in respect of earmarks, identification tags and/or paint brands used to identify stock in the yards.
- Residue status
The residue status of livestock must be checked. Saleyards are responsible for ensuring the PICs are checked against the Extended Residue Program (ERP) database.
- Suspect stock
Suspect, lame, blind, distressed or obviously sick stock shall not be accepted for sale through the auction without appropriate inspection/approval by a government veterinary officer/inspector or private veterinary surgeon.
- Dirty stock
Vendors are strongly discouraged from delivering dirty stock for sale. Dirty stock delivered to the saleyard shall be unloaded, held and sold in a nominated area, separated from other stock handling facilities.
Vendors delivering dirty stock to the saleyard shall be formally notified by letter of the unacceptable condition of their stock. Continued non-compliance with the required standard may result in stock not being accepted for sale.
- Dead stock disposal
Dead stock within the saleyard are recorded and are efficiently removed and disposed of accordingly.
- Vendors’ risk cattle
The ‘vendors' risk’ contract is applied in necessary circumstances in accordance with state guidelines. Vendors’ risk is applied for the sale of suspect livestock, due to being lame, maimed, diseased or sick. The ownership of the animal or animals is transferred to the buyer at the normal point of exchange of ownership applicable at the sale. However, the vendor retains the risk of the animal (or meat derived therefrom) being condemned for human consumption by an approved inspection service. In such an event, the purchase price paid will be adjusted to compensate the buyer. Vendors' risk is implemented in accordance with state guidelines.
- Documents/Manuals
A current copy of the following documents/manuals shall be held at the saleyard:
- Animal welfare
In addition to the general welfare guidelines detailed within the code of practice, additional consideration should be given to stock specific issues including bobby calves.