Recycled water use: New risk management framework

Key takeaways

• LPA Standards updated with recycled water use on cattle properties now included in property risk assessments
• NLIS Database now includes three new statuses that communicate the risk of C. bovis in cattle
• New risk-based inspection regime set to deliver an additional $30M in revenue for beef exporters

Effective 18 January 2024, the LPA Program Standards will include recycled water use as part of the property risk assessment for LPA accredited cattle producers. 

This new framework will support recent updates to the Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption (AS 4696:2023). These updates allow for an alternative post-mortem inspection (PMI) of cattle at processing where they are deemed to be at low risk for Cysticercus Bovis (C. bovis or beef measles) infection.

How can cattle producers manage recycled water risk?

LPA accredited cattle producers who are using recycled water from a wastewater treatment plant need to:

• include recycled water use in their property risk assessment
• indicate on their farm map where recycled water has been applied
• retain a written record (agreement or contract) from the wastewater treatment plant outlining the treatment level of the recycled water; and
• demonstrate that the recycled water is low risk and has been treated to the following standard:
  - Log Reduction Value (LRV) of 4.0 in Taenia saginata (T. egg saginata) concentration or equivalent; or
  - LRV of 3.0, be supplying other fresh drinking water to cattle, and the recycled water supplier confirms that the sewage quality ≤ 1 T. saginata egg/L, as part of the supply agreement.

If cattle are exposed to inadequately treated recycled water, they need to be identified, traceable, and declared as exposed to C. bovis on any outgoing LPA NVDs.

New Risk Management Framework

A risk framework has been developed to support the alternative PMI approach. This includes changes to the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) and the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) Program, outlined below.

LPA Standards: LPA accredited cattle producers who use recycled water on farm must conduct a risk assessment and undergo audits if C. bovis is detected in cattle from the property.

NLIS Database: There are three new statuses to assist in identifying high-risk properties and animals.

• CBP: This status is applied by ISC or State Government when a confirmed case of C. bovis is found at processing and an LPA audit has confirmed that high risk recycled water is in use on the property. This status can only be removed after a subsequent LPA audit to confirm that no recycled water has been used on the property for at least two years.
• CBA: This status is applied automatically to cattle devices registered on a PIC when the CBP status is applied in the NLIS Database. This status informs processors and on-plant vets that the cattle have a high risk of C. bovis infection and require a full PMI.
• CBW: This status is applied automatically to PICs when a CBA device transfers onto that PIC and is automatically removed when the last CBA animal is moved off that PIC.

How the changes will benefit industry

While the incidence of C. bovis infection in cattle is very low, exposure to inadequately treated recycled water increases the risk of cattle contracting C. bovis which can mean some or all of the carcass will be unfit for human consumption.

Ann McDonald, Australian Meat Processor Corporation R&D Program Manager for Markets and Integrity said the changes to inspection for C. bovis were a positive move that would help bring the industry in line with Codex and other international markets.

“We've moved to a risk-based inspection regime for beef measles which means that where cattle are deemed low-risk, we’re going to be able to process those beef cheeks for human consumption,” Ann said.

“The new framework will see a significant increase in the number of beef cheeks available for sale in international markets that have agreed to these changes, with the potential to increase profits by around $30 million per year,” Ann said. “That’s exciting because it means not only will we be directing our resources more effectively; we’ll also be delivering bigger returns on each carcass.”