We're pleased to announce an update of the following project: 'Australian Export Meat Inspection Service (AEMIS) Review', as part of AMPC's Marketing & Market Access program.
Overview of the Australian Export Meat Inspection System Review
The Australian Export Meat Inspection System (AEMIS) is the system of meat inspection, verification and compliance that provides trading partners with certainty on food safety. It was introduced by the Australian Government in 2011 and allows export slaughtering establishments the option to engage qualified and accredited inspectors who are government authorised officers to undertake meat inspection, subject to the requirements of importing countries.
When AEMIS was introduced, it was agreed that the system would be reviewed regularly to ensure it delivered positive outcomes and productivity gains. The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) is therefore funding an independent review of AEMIS, which has been endorsed by the Export Meat Industry Advisory Committee (EMIAC).
AMPC has engaged Palladium International to undertake the independent review. Palladium is a consulting firm with global experience in agriculture, trade and in reviewing industry and public sector strategies and performance.
Scope of the review
The independent review of AEMIS is forward-looking and will assess whether the system is cost-effective, efficient and fit-for-purpose in protecting and promoting market access for Australian meat and meat products, including red meat and pork. It will take into account technical requirements, market access requirements, service delivery, financial and operational aspects for the export of meat and meat products as defined by the Export Control (Meat and Meat Products) Orders 2005. The review will also consider current and future reforms, including relating to product hygiene indicators, post mortem inspection and halal certification.
At the end of the review, Palladium will make recommendations about future needs, which will provide at least equivalent outcomes and transparency to markets as the current system.
Consultations
Palladium will undertake consultations from April to July 2019, with relevant government and industry stakeholders. Consultations will be complemented by analysis of source materials from government, industry and markets. The review report, including recommendations, will be delivered by November 2019.
The review is being overseen by a joint industry-government steering group, including representatives of the red meat processing sector including AMIC; Australian Pork Limited; and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR), with Meat and Livestock Australia and AMPC represented as observers. Representatives from other organisations (e.g. the Australian Meat Regulators Group, CSIRO and MINTRAC) may be called on by the steering group to provide expert advice on particular issues as required.
How can you be involved?
Make a submission
Organisations and individuals are invited to make a submission to the review addressing the Terms of Reference. You can choose to address all or some of the elements of the Terms of Reference. Submissions should be no longer than five pages. All submissions will be treated confidentially, unless you choose to make your submission publicly available.
Information on the review and guidance on how to make a submission is available on Palladium’s AEMIS Review website.
Site visits
AMIC and AMPC members are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to your industry bodies to participate in a site visit by members of the review team. The site visits will include meetings with management and relevant staff and tours of facilities to discuss operations, in line with the Terms of Reference.
The review team is seeking to ensure that the site visits are made to a cross-section of industry, with consideration for type (processors and non-processors), operating model, location, product and markets. Subject to the number of EOIs, it may not be possible to visit all sites, but Palladium will contact all businesses that express interest.
To submit your EOI to the review:
Face to face meetings
Palladium will consult with Australian and state government regulators, industry bodies, third party providers, unions and training providers. The review team will contact these organisations directly.
More information
For further information on the review, please email AEMISreview@thepalladiumgroup.com
If you would like any further information about this project, please contact Jonathan Vu on j.vu@ampc.com.au or phone 02 8908 5514.
