Australian export beef processors are entering an intense period of scrutiny by international customer countries, as the annual systems audit calendar reaches a seasonal high.

AQIS recently confirmed that from the March to July period, there are nine separate country audits of Australian processing plants and their meat inspection systems scheduled.
Some of the major ones include Japan (18-29 July), Egypt (late March), Malaysia (reviewing Halal certifiers during April), Indonesia (for both meat and Halal – dates to be confirmed but likely to be May), European Union (animal welfare – late March), the Philippines (mid-year), the United States (started March 21) and the Ukraine (July).
Australian export processors operating under a number of quality assurance, market and brand claim, religious, regulatory and other frameworks have in the past suggested that up to 200 working days each year can be occupied with external audits of some type.