The large number of animals passing through an abattoir, knackery or saleyard means an emergency animal disease outbreak may be first detected in these facilities and workers play a crucial part in early identification and reporting.
Being biosecure will help:
- provide NSW businesses good access to premium markets around the globe
- maintain industries that use saleyards, abattoirs and knackeries
- ensure we can provide locally-grown, safe food to the people of NSW
- prevent zoonotic diseases from spreading to people.
Biosecurity is good for business
Everyday abattoir, knackery or saleyard practices are all part of being biosecure. This includes:
- Monitoring for signs and symptoms of animal disease
- Participating in the National Livestock Identification System, traceability and market assurance programs
- Having the right licences, registrations and permits
- Preventing the spread of disease by maintaining good hygiene at saleyards and processing facilities
- Educating staff and visitors on the importance of biosecurity and how to spot and report diseases
- Having an emergency disease action plan.
Our department and partners including Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Animal Health Australia, Australian Meat Processor Corporation and Meat and Livestock Australia have developed a number of training resources for the abattoir, knackery and saleyard industries. They are free and aim to build the skills and knowledge of workers who may be amongst the first to detect emergency animal disease.
The essentials
There are certain actions a business MUST legally take in order to be biosecure. These are detailed in the Biosecurity Act 2015 and supporting legislation.
The laws cover things that are likely to have the biggest impact on our economy, environment or community. They include rules around:
- high risk and priority pests and diseases that MUST be reported - these are known as ‘notifiable pests and diseases’, ‘prohibited matter’ and ‘biosecurity events’
- having the right accreditation, registrations, certificates and permits
Your general biosecurity duty
As well as prescribing the rules for high risk biosecurity matter, the Biosecurity Act 2015 includes a biosecurity duty for abattoirs, knackeries and saleyards, and everyone who deals with biosecurity matter.
This means that all tiers of government, industry and the people of NSW need to work together to protect the economy, environment and community from the negative impacts of pests, diseases, and weeds and contaminants.
This means businesses need to:
- know about your biosecurity risks
- know what action should be taken to manage these risks
- take effective action to manage the risks relevant to you.
Have a plan
The trick to managing biosecurity is that every facility and operation will have different challenges and risks to manage based on its location, seasonal conditions, activities, and the animals that are being produced and processed.
A biosecurity plan can help you to identify the risks relevant to your facility and prioritise the actions to manage them.
Visit the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) website for an Emergency Animal Disease Response plan template and online training modules.
Visit our Training for abattoir, knackery and saleyard workers webpage for training resources.
Training for abattoir, knackery and saleyard workers
Abattoirs, knackeries and saleyards are on the front line of our efforts to keep NSW free from the impacts of emergency animal disease.
The large number of animals passing through an abattoir, knackery or saleyard means an emergency animal disease outbreak may be first detected in these facilities and workers have a crucial part to play in early identification and reporting.
The below resources have been developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and partners including Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Animal Health Australia, Australian Meat Processor Corporation and Meat and Livestock Australia. They are free and aim to build the skills and knowledge of workers who may be amongst the first to detect emergency animal disease.
Free resources for abattoir, knackery and saleyard workers
| Resource | Role | Quiz | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAD Response Online |
| Yes | Australian Meat Processor Corporation | The aim of this course is to provide participants with an understanding of their role in an emergency animal disease event. |
| FMD Training for Industry and the Community |
| Yes | Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | This course will provide those working in the livestock industry with an enhanced understanding of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). It covers FMD identification and reporting requirements. |
| FMD Training for Vets and Veterinary Paraprofessionals |
| Yes | Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | This course provides a practical understanding of what participants can do to prevent an outbreak of FMD, how to recognise signs of FMD and the importance of early reporting. |
| Community Education FMD Videos |
| N/A | Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | These videos outline the impacts of an FMD outbreak, why being on the lookout is everyone's responsibility, how to identify the disease and the process to take if you suspect an animal has FMD. |
| EAD Foundations Online |
| Yes | Animal Health Australia | This video outlines how to identify the symptoms of FMD, how to make a report if you suspect the disease, the process and procedure if symptoms are detected and how to identify diseases with similar symptoms to FMD. |
| FMD Awareness Video |
| N/A | Animal Health Australia | This course will provide an enhanced understanding of what can be done to prevent FMD, what to look out for, what to do if you suspect an animal has FMD and what will happen if an emergency response occurs. |
| FMD Awareness Online Course |
| Yes | Animal Health Australia | Upon completion of the course, you will have a better understanding of what can be done to help prevent the FMD, clinical signs to look for, what to do if the disease is suspected and what would happen if an emergency response occurred. |
| WHS in a Biosecurity Emergency Response |
| Yes | Animal Health Australia | This induction is aimed at those who will be working in a biosecurity response. It will increase participants' understanding of safety issues in the workplace. |
| Vets, hobby farmers and backyard livestock |
| Yes | NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development | This course provides the tools to improve engagement with hobby farmers, small landholders and clients with backyard livestock. The course aims to improve biosecurity outcomes by encouraging the early detection of disease. |
| Transportation Advice |
| N/A | Meat and Livestock Australia | This course aims to ensure appropriate animal welfare standards and outlines roles and responsibilities when loading livestock. |