Export Slaughter Intervals and Chemical Withholding Periods

An Export Slaughter Interval (ESI) is the minimum time that should elapse between administration of a veterinary medicine to animals and their slaughter for export. ESIs manage differences between Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) allowed for veterinary medicines in Australia, and the MRLs of its trading partners.

ESI advice is particularly important for quality assurance schemes, and especially for producers filling out the National Vendor Declaration (NVD) forms as part of the whole-of-chain management of exported product. ESIs have been agreed to by the cattle industry and the registrant of the veterinary chemical.

The Withholding Period (WHP) is the minimum period which must elapse between last administration or application of a pesticide or veterinary medicine, including treated feed, and the slaughter, collection, harvesting or use of the animal or crop commodity for human consumption. WHPs are mandatory for domestic slaughter and are on the label of every registered product.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has compiled a list of ESIs for veterinary products used in cattle. Many of these ESIs were established previously by a third party, and the accuracy and validity of the values may be reviewed. As ESIs are subject to change due to alterations in overseas requirements, and ongoing review and consultation with industry, the APVMA website is provided to ensure the latest information is available to producers and users.

APVMA Export Slaughter Intervals and Chemical Withholding Periods

Source: Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority