Livestock chemical residues
Chemicals that are applied to crops, animals, water or soil can leave common residues which break down over time.
These common residues can include:
- antibiotics and drenches
- pesticides and external parasite products
- heavy metals such as lead or cadmium
- banned organochlorines in soils
- other agricultural chemicals.
How Local Land Services supports market access
Our staff work with the community and our partners such as the Livestock Production Assurance Program to ensure all products are residue-free.
Our work in managing chemical residues in animals and soils helps maintain NSW and Australia’s ‘clean and green’ reputation and access to markets.
Local Land Services animal health staff play an ongoing role in surveillance, certification and education to make sure chemical and other residues stay out of the food chain.
Their work includes:
- carrying out on-farm investigations to find sources of residues
- working with landholders to either eliminate the source of the residue or lessen its effects
- investigating residue detections as reported from abattoirs
- using tracing systems such as the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) to identify the source of contamination.
They also work with national programs that pick up any traces of residues at slaughter to assure markets that Australian products are residue free.
Once cleared, Local Land Services can also offer certification that livestock is free of disease and residue so you may continue to market.
Find out more and get help
If you are concerned about a possible chemical residue contamination problem on your land you can contact your local office for advice.
You can also visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries or the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority websites for more information.