Training and professional development strategy to support 2019 changes to post-mortem inspection practice

Summary

The Australian Standard for Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption (the Standard) has been revised to modernise post-mortem inspection practices. The updates are in response to industry improvements in animal health, and a risk-based reassessment of inspection methods.

The Standard has not yet been edited to reflect the updated inspection techniques and so the changes have been released as a guideline, Guideline 2020:1. Post-Mortem Meat Inspection – Alternative techniques to Schedule 2 and 3 of AS 4696:2007, which is implemented by state-based meat authorities.

This project provided information to industry stakeholders, particularly trainers and registered training organisations (RTOs) to ensure the changes to the Standard are incorporated into work instructions and training materials. This included updating training and assessment materials, creating additional support materials and providing meat inspection trainers with background information on the changes.

Objectives

The aim of this project was to inform the meat processing industry about the changes to the Standard and update training and assessment materials for post-mortem inspection.

Key findings

• 178 individual industry stakeholders participated in engagement and training activities including the Meat Inspection and Quality Assurance Conference, Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) Industry Network meetings, trainer workshops and webinars.

• Feedback from these activities was almost entirely positive, indicating that the training met the goal of informing industry about updated techniques and how they apply to post-mortem inspection practices.

• 17 fact sheets were distributed to provide information on the scientific research that has underpinned the revised post-mortem inspection techniques.

• An e-learning program on the updated techniques was created and is available online.

Benefits to industry

It is important that industry trainers, RTOs, employers of meat inspectors and Australian Government Authorised Officers are aware of the changes made to abattoir processes. As a result of this project, most RTOs responsible for delivering training at domestic abattoirs are now aware of the revised techniques for post-mortem inspection and disposition.

MLA action

In collaboration with the National Meat Industry Training Advisory Council (MINTRAC), MLA will promote the training materials to the Australian meat processing industry. MLA will also promote the training resources to export-registered abattoirs when changes are implemented in export establishments.

Future research

Training industry to adopt the changes to post-mortem inspection practices could be increased by:

• producing more images and videos of different abattoir conditions, to support training in alternative techniques
• ongoing promotion of training materials and factsheets to industry and ensuring these are updated when required.

When the Australian Government Department of Agriculture Water and Environment can implement relevant changes to post-mortem and inspection techniques on export-registered abattoirs, the training and assessment materials and eLearning program will need to be updated to ensure they are relevant for export plants.