Beef producers must continue to be vigilant in ensuring cattle are not exposed to residues of endosulfan or other crop chemicals and that the National Vendor Declaration (NVD) is always accurately completed when selling cattle. 

With the 2006/07 Endosulfan testing program now in operation, SAFEMEAT Chairman Jack Ware said it was timely to remind producers of the importance of NVDs.

“NVDs have a critical role in protecting our markets and safeguarding our reputation as a supplier of safe, quality red meat,” Mr Ware said.

“The use of endosulfan in the horticulture and cotton industries may again be reduced this year because of the ongoing effects of drought in New South Wales and Queensland, but there are still sensitivities in Australian beef markets due to past detections of endosulfan in beef originating from other countries. It remains the duty of people in the red meat industry to be vigilant.

“It is crucial all producers accurately complete vendor declarations but it is particularly important producers pay close attention to question eight on the cattle NVD during the endosulfan spraying season.”

In addition to normal random testing for endosulfan, the targeted testing will be directed by answers to questions eight, four and seven on the NVD that relate to endosulfan use and the risks of chemical residues in animal feeds.

The cost of residue testing is a commercial matter between the vendor and the processor if questions eight, four and seven on the NVD are either not completed or answered “Yes” or “Don’t Know”.

Use of endosulfan will be monitored and background testing may be implemented in specific regions if increased pest pressure results in higher than expected endosulfan use.

Producers who want more information should contact the Queensland Farmer’s Federation or AgForce in Queensland, the NSW Farmers’ Association in NSW or district veterinarians in both states.

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SAFEMEAT Media contacts: Allan Bloxsom – ph. 02 9463 9211 or Ed Klim – ph. 02 6272 5507