Grain Trade Australia (GTA) supports the important role the National Residue Survey (NRS) plays in protecting the reputation of Australian grain in both domestic and export markets. The program monitors chemical residue levels in grain samples, serving as an important risk mitigation tool for the entire industry.
Under the Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice (Section 2.4.1), GTA members, including bulk and container exporters, and domestic merchants and processors, are required to participate in the NRS program. Further details are provided in GTA’s Technical Guideline Document No. 20.
The NRS involves sampling and testing Australian export and domestic traded grain for pesticides and environmental contaminants, with representative samples collected at export outturn and domestic receival points. Established by the Australian Government in the early 1960s following concerns about pesticide residues in exported meat, the program has since expanded to test other animal and plant products for residues of pesticides, veterinary medicines, and other contaminants. It became an industry‑funded activity in 1992 and is part of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s strategy to minimise chemical residues in agricultural produce.
At the recent National Grain Storage and Protection Conference, the NRS reported a decline in GTA member participation. GTA responded by raising awareness of the requirement and importance of participation, including writing to non‑participating members. Participation has improved, but recent checks show some companies remain outside the program.
Participation in the NRS program is important for several reasons:
- It audits the suitability of individual food safety programs.
- It provides an independent audit of industry compliance with customer and government chemical regulations.
- It supports industry and government efforts to revise importing country maximum residue limits (MRLs) and to seek import tolerances where MRLs do not exist.
- It reduces the potential for additional government regulation.
Results are commercial in confidence, provided only to the merchant, exporter, or processor, and the company responsible for loading or outturning the grain.
Participation is at no direct cost to companies, with the program funded through industry levies.
