Producing cattle for European markets

Only properties accredited under the European Union Cattle Accreditation Scheme (EUCAS) can supply cattle for the European Union (EU) market. EUCAS is now administered nationwide by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). For information on EUCAS, follow the link at the bottom of this page to the AQIS website.

Applying for property accreditation

Producers wishing to produce cattle for EU processing need to apply for accreditation under the Commonwealth Export Control Act.

Application forms can be obtained only from AQIS (not DPI&F offices). AQIS can be contacted on their EUCAS helpline - 1800 305 544.

The following information is a summary of the requirements. Property managers should consult the EUCAS rules on the AQIS website (enter European Union Cattle Accreditation Scheme in the search facility).

Status of cattle on accredited properties

Producers applying for accreditation are only permitted to have the following categories of cattle on their properties:

• home-bred cattle that have never been treated with hormonal growth promotants (HGPs)
• one ownership (owner breed) raised cattle that are subject to a verification check, and have never been treated with HGPs
• pink-tagged cattle introduced prior to 1st July 2000, for which the producer has endorsed stock agent invoices or signed National Vendor Declaration (NVD) forms confirming that the cattle were HGP-free when introduced
• cattle introduced from accredited properties or from EU eligible consignments at accredited saleyards
• breeding bulls from any source
• up to 5 designated house cows
• approved restocking females.

Ineligible cattle must be removed from the property prior to the manager applying for accreditation.

EU Vendor Declarations and lime-green transaction tail tags

Following accreditation, managers should apply for a EU Vendor Declaration (EUVD)/Waybill through the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) helpline - 1800 683 111. To assist with record keeping, an EUVD should be completed whenever cattle (except ineligible breeding bulls, designated house cows and approved restocking females) leave an accredited property.

Order forms for lime-green transaction tail tags are available from your local DPI&F Biosecurity Queensland office.

Accredited managers must keep a record of the serial numbers of all lime-green transaction tail tags used, and must be able to account on audit for all tags issued.

Permanent identification of cattle on accredited properties

Managers of properties must identify, at the first convenient management opportunity, (and within 12 months of EUCAS accreditation application), all weaned cattle on their property using National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) endorsed white Breeder Tags (for cattle bred on the property) or orange Post-breeder Tags (for introduced cattle not already identified with a Breeder or Post-breeder Tag).

Cattle born on an accredited property after accreditation must be permanently identified by no later than weaning with a Breeder Tag issued for use on that property.

Accredited saleyards and EU listed abattoirs check the NLIS database prior to selling or processing cattle presented as EU eligible to confirm that the cattle are registered as residing on the consignor´s property. Saleyards and abattoirs are also responsible for advising the database that the cattle they handle have left the consignor´s accredited property.

Application forms for the purchase of Breeder and Post-breeder Tags are available from your local DPI&F Biosecurity Queensland office.

Introduction of cattle after property accreditation

Once a property is accredited, the manager must only purchase cattle (apart from breeding bulls, approved restocking females and designated house cows (maximum of 5 allowed on a Property Identification Code (PIC) at any one time)) directly from another accredited producer, or from EU eligible consignments at accredited saleyards. Accredited cattle presented for sale at an accredited saleyard must also be identified with a lime-green tail tag and be accompanied by an EUVD. A copy of the EUVD must be obtained for purchased cattle and retained for your records.

Producers wishing to access EUCAS ineligible breeders (approved restocking females) to breed up replacement heifers should first contact AQIS.

Saleyards are able to update the NLIS database on behalf of buyers with the transponder numbers of purchased cattle.

Contact the MLA hotline on 1800 635 445 for information on options for notifying the database.

Record keeping on accredited properties

Managers of accredited properties are required to maintain auditable records. Failure to maintain records could result in the cancellation of EUCAS accreditation.

Information that must be kept includesthe following:

• if HGPs had been purchased within 2 years prior to EUCAS accreditation, a Statutory Declaration recording disposition of treated cattle and unused HGP doses
• records proving the HGP-free status of  Scheme cattle (except ineligible breeding bulls) introduced prior to accreditation (e.g. NVDs, Stock Agent Invoices)
• records of mature breeding bulls and designated house cows including age, breed and property of origin
• EUVDs completed by vendors for cattle (except ineligible breeding bulls, approved restocking females and designated house cows) introduced after accreditation
• records of all movements of cattle off the property - the duplicate copy of the EUVD provided with these cattle will suffice for this purpose
• serial numbers of all lime-green transaction tail tags used
• records of cattle that lose their Breeder or Post-breeder Tags and details of the tags used as replacements.

Selling cattle

Under the scheme, there is no restriction on where cattle from accredited properties may be sold. Saleyards and abattoirs, however, need to be accredited in order to participate in the trading and processing of EU-eligible cattle. Cattle traded through non-accredited saleyards will lose their EU eligibility. Lime-green tail tags should not be used to identify cattle sent to non-accredited saleyards or non-EU listed abattoirs.

All cattle consigned for sale or slaughter, as EU eligible to EU accredited premises, must be identified with an NLIS device, a lime-green tail tag and a fully completed EUVD. Cattle presented without correct identification and documents will be ineligible for the EU market.

EU-eligible cattle may be transported to saleyards and abattoirs in trucks containing ineligible cattle provided EU-eligible and ineligible cattle are separated by dividers and accompanied by separate documents.

EU eligible cattle moved to a non-accredited saleyard are no longer Scheme cattle. (Exception: in the event cattle are passed in for sale they can be returned to the accredited farm and remain Scheme cattle if an auditable record of the movement is kept that verifies the correct cattle as returning.)

Relinquishing accreditation

Property accreditation may be relinquished at any time by notifying AQIS on their EUCAS helpline - 1800 305 544.

Unused lime-green tail tags and EUVDs must be returned with the request to withdraw from the scheme.

AQIS must also be notified in writing when the manager of an accredited property leaves, is replaced, or if the property is sold or additional land is acquired. If EU accreditation is to be continued, a new application form may have to be completed.