Licensing

Meat and Seafood Transport Vehicle standards and guidelines

PrimeSafe licence conditions require all meat and seafood transport vehicles to comply with relevant Australian and Victorian standards, and guidelines.

The relevant standard for a meat and seafood transport vehicle in relation to transportation is in Section 25, page 58 of the Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption (AS 4696:2007).

Meat and seafood must not be removed from a vehicle for temporary storage unless the temporary storage facility is licensed by PrimeSafe or local government.

A meat and seafood transport vehicle must be operated in a manner that ensures that the surface temperature of carcasses, sides and quarters shall be maintained at 7ºC and all other portions of meat (including poultry) shall be maintained at 5ºC or less. Seafood must be maintained at 5ºC or less.

Refrigeration systems must be fitted and operating in all vehicles carrying meat and poultry. A refrigeration system is not required in a vehicle that carries only seafood.

Records in relation to cleanliness, temperature and maintenance of the meat and seafood transport vehicle must be maintained throughout the duration of the licence. The records can be incorporated within the food safety program of a PrimeSafe licensed facility or completed in a food safety plan booklet provided by PrimeSafe. An alternate food safety program may also be developed provided that it ensures that:

  • The compartment carrying the product is clean prior to loading;
  • Meat and seafood is loaded at the correct temperature; and
  • The compartment carrying the product complies with the relevant standard.

Records of food safety programs will need to be presented for review at the annual vehicle inspection.

The construction and equipment requirements of a meat and seafood transport vehicle are set out in Section 25 of the Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption (AS 4696:2007). Click here to view the construction and equipment requirements of a meat transport vehicle.