The National Residue Survey: 2007-2008 in brief
Total expenses for the National Residue Survey (NRS) in 2007–2008 were $11.537 million. The Australian Government provided $0.478 million for community service obligations, while participating industries provided $11.063 million through levies and contributions for the management and operation of NRS programs.
NRS carried out random residue monitoring programs for 50 animal and plant products, with the largest numbers of samples collected from cattle, sheep, pigs and wheat grain. During 2007–2008, NRS coordinated the collection of 18,889 samples through these programs. In close consultation with the relevant industries and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, all animal residue monitoring plans were reviewed and accepted.
On behalf of the cattle industry, NRS is developing a tender process to engage a contractor to undertake residue management audits of selected cattle properties. These audits will be based on elements of the livestock production assurance (LPA) quality assurance (QA) scheme, which is the largest Australian QA scheme for livestock producers. The contractor chosen through this tender process will also audit property management plans, where these are in place, to manage the risk of organochlorine residues from previous use of such chemicals. These audits will complement existing residue monitoring programs and provide additional assurance that agricultural chemicals and veterinary drugs are used appropriately in the cattle industry.
Levy collections for 13 additional grains started on 1 July 2007. The NRS grains program now includes all Australian tradeable grains moving in domestic and export markets. The focus of the program is to include sampling from as many grain marketers who export in bags and containers as practicable. Also, within a pilot targeted herbicide testing project, approximately 150 samples were analysed for a range of herbicide residues.
The coordination of sampling (701 samples) and results (30,942 analyses) of six targeted monitoring, compliance testing and residue prevention projects were undertaken on behalf of the beef and sheep industries.
Plans are underway to redevelop the NRS database and information management system to include web-based applications which improve data links between the NRS, sample collectors, sample handlers, analytical laboratories and participating industries. Design specifications are under development and tenders will be called in November 2008. NRS expects the redeveloped NRS database to be operational by December 2009.
Sample analysis under the Eighth Term analytical contracts for laboratories ceased on 30 June 2008. The new Ninth Term analytical contracts commenced on 1 July 2008 and will continue until 30 June 2011. During 2007–2008, NRS carried out pre-tender proficiency testing of laboratories preparing to submit tenders for the Ninth Term analytical contracts tendering process.
The three-year contract with the Australian wool industry ended in 2007, with the successful completion of the final proficiency testing round. NRS provided proficiency testing services involving several international wool residue testing laboratories. Laboratory proficiency testing services provided by NRS to the dairy industry’s Australian Milk Residue Analysis Survey will continue. NRS has been an accredited provider of proficiency testing services since 2005.
Summary of results for all random monitoring projects
NRS conducted random residue monitoring projects for 25 animal products and 25 plant products. In all, 383,414 analyses were carried out on 18,889 samples by contracted laboratories. The table below summarises the results of random residue monitoring projects from the major commodity groupings.
| Commodity | Number of samples tested | Number of analyses3 | Compliance with relevant Australian Standards (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Products | |||
| Meat |
14,184 |
155,990 |
99.79 |
| Egg |
75 |
1,025 |
92.00 |
| Honey |
226 |
1,440 |
100.00 |
| Fish (wildcaught) |
109 |
563 |
100.00 |
| Aquaculture |
15 |
143 |
100.00 |
| Total animal products |
14,609 |
159,161 |
|
| Plant Products | |||
| Grains | 3,435 | 192,647 | 99.42 |
| Horticulture | 845 | 31,606 | 99.76 |
| Total plant products | 4,280 | 224,253 | |
| Total all products | 18,889 | 383,414 | |
3 Most samples are analysed for more than one chemical. This is the total number of chemical–commodity combinations that were specifically tested in each product type.
The National Residue Survey: 2007-2008 in brief 
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