Annual Workshop Program

Over recent years the AAQ have devoted the Friday before the conference to matters of high priority. These workshops are designed to give industry members the chance to get up-close and personal with these issues and gather in-depth knowledge on pressing issues. This year food safety and hatchery quality assurance toped the list.

Table fish and redclaw producers need to be part of a food safety code or plan now! Being part of such a program will show that the industry is taking a responsible approach to food safety. Doing so may avoid the undesirable situation of government intervention via more prescriptive regulation. (At least for a time.) This session will be run by Ian Wells from Safefood Queensland/Queensland Health. Click here for more details on this session and Ian Wells.

One important aspect of our plan is that it covers the members who produce fish and RED CLAW ! This means that those of us who produce both these types of products do not need to belong to two associations and more importantly, do not have the financial burden of belonging to two food safety plans.

If you grow fish for human consumption you must be at this workshop. See the AAQ Newsletter article below for a little background information.

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Hatchery quality assurance is an issue which affects hatcheries AND table fish growers. Hatcheries need to be able to assure their customers that they are supplying healthy fingerlings which are not contaminated with unwanted animals, such as other fish tadpoles or aquatic insects. Other issues such as supplying fish that are to be stocked in farm dams, or stocking groups, are up to environmentally acceptable standards. Genetic variation within the batch of fish/fingerlings is a major issue too. Growers should also attend this session to understand the issues, and provide input to QDPI&F as this session will be the start of our consultation process. As some growers have been known to sell to local farmers for their dams, even stocking groups to stock impoundments and public waterways you need to be present. This session will be chaired by Rod Cheetham, Fisheries Extension Officer,  Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. There will be key input from Collin Shelly and other senior fisheries officers. Click for information about Rod Cheetham.

There will also be two sessions devoted to aquaculture hardware and its uses. A range of expert speakers will demonstrate, and give an overview of many technical and not so technical items of aquaculture equipment. These sessions will be chaired by Lindsay Hopper from Aquasonic. Click for information about Lindsay Hopper

At an AAQ workshop on March 20th held at the Dalby RSL the AAQ and Safe Food Queensland launched our new simplified food safety plan. (Safe Food Queensland is a government agency, not a consultant. It’s roll is to ensure the safety of food produced in Queensland.) Members who are listed as “table fish growers” were invited to the work shop. If you were not invited to the workshop it is likely that our data base does not list you as a table fish grower. You should correct this situation by contacting the AAQ secretary. Contact details can be found on page 4 of all newsletters, including this one. They can also be found on the AAQ Web Site.

The AAQ and Safe Food Queensland have been working together over many months to develop a new food safety plan. The old “AAQ Preferred Supplier” plan was expensive and was not taken up be many members. The cost to the AAQ was at least $3000 per year. Growers who participated had to pay for annual audits and chemical residue testing, which resulted in a cost of around $1000 per year for each grower.

The new plan has been developed in partnership with Safe Food Queensland. Those who choose to participate will be permitted to display the Safe Food Queensland logo on their stationary. The cost to each participating grower will be nominal, not more than $100 per year. The savings certainly fitted in with the theme of the workshop, “Skinning The Cat.” In other words cutting costs! During the workshop on Saturday, Ian Wells from Safe Food Queensland explained the new plan to growers.

All table fish growers need to address the safe food issue and demonstrate that they are making an effort to supply the public with “safe food”. Not having a food safety plan operating in your business could be disastrous. If you are following a food safety plan you will at least have some defense should a problem occur!

The plan has been tailored to suit most of the table fish growers. It is designed to meet the needs of growers who sell live or whole on ice, or whole frozen. It is VERY SIMPLE and easy to follow. One significant feature of the plan is that it also covers crayfish. This feature been included because a number of our members also grow red claw and do NOT want to have to be in two food safety plans.

The plan includes a product sampling and testing process at no extra cost! In the first year, (2004) 50% of participating growers will have their product tested for chemical residues. A composite sample of five 200g fish will be tested for organochlorines. In the second year, (2005) the same process will test for heavy metals on a cost share basis. The testing program will then be reviewed after establishing adequate industry data.

The AAQ will maintain a list of producers operating under the code. The AAQ will advise growers of the compliance requirements of the code and co-operate with Safe Food Queensland in matters of food safety. The AAQ will review and amend the code of practice as it becomes necessary and will provide relevant information to Safe food Queensland as directed by Safe Food Queensland as a means of demonstrating industry compliance with safe food requirements.

Safe Food Queensland will recognise AAQ and it’s members who operate under the code, and assist AAQ in matters of food safety, and the value of the code. Safe Food Queensland will liaise with AAQ regarding food safety monitoring requirements. Safe Food Queensland will oversee the effectiveness of the code, generally through data benchmarking of appropriate indicators or other monitoring activities. Safe Food Queensland will review and evaluate any amendments to the code of Practice 2004.

The day after the workshop a field day was conducted at Paul Mc Veigh’s farm. During the day all growers that were present signed up to the plan.

To join the plan contact the AAQ sectrtary or the president. (Contact details on page 4.) Ask for a copy of the plan. When you receive your copy read it carefully. If you understand your responsabilities under the plan complete the form “Food Safty Policy”. Sign and return the form to the secretaty of the AAQ. Then just follow the plan and any directions to amend the plan given by the AAQ or Safe Food Queensland.

If a product sample is required, you will be notified. You will be required to produce safe food according to the plan. A copy of the plan must be kept on site. You must implement the system and keep appropriate records. You must supply any test records or other system documentary evidence as requested by the AAQ or Safe Food Queensland.