The Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots was developed to facilitate the financially and environmentally sound development of cattle feedlots in Victoria. The State Government, in conjunction with both industry and the wider community has developed the code.
The Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots is a State planning document and is incorporated into all planning schemes in Victoria.
The responsible authority for implementation of code on a specific feedlot development is local government. The Department of Primary Industries Victoria provides executive support to the Victorian Feedlot Committee who administrates the code within the state.
Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots
Alternatively copies of The Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots (1995) can be obtained from:
Pre-operational audits and routine audits required under the Victorian Code of Practice for Cattle Feedlots.
The Code provides a basis for the planning, design, assessment, approval, construction, operation and maintenance of cattle feedlots in Victoria.
The Code sets out several auditing requirements to ensure that feedlot developments are constructed, then maintained in accordance with the Code:
- Pre-operational audit – is required prior to beginning operation of a new feedlot or extension. An audit statement is required indicating compliance with the provisions of the Code in relation to design, construction and operation/management.
- Annual Audit – an annual statement is required demonstrating ongoing compliance with the design (and planning permit conditions) and operational /management requirements of the Code.
- Additional audit – an audit may be conducted in response to ongoing complaints or issues arising with the feedlot operation.
The responsible authority (local government) must be satisfied that the audit demonstrates that compliance with the planning permit conditions and the Code have been met.
All audit statements must be prepared by an auditor approved for the purposes by the Minister for Agriculture. Such auditors will usually be environmental auditors appointed by EPA Victoria under the Environment Protection Act 1970 or accredited under the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS).
Usually the EPA appointed auditor will lead "pre-operational audits", while the NFAS will lead "annual audits". However, both types of auditors are able to conduct either audit
The "additional audits" within the Code should be conducted by an appropriate auditor, depending on the issue raised by the Responsible Authority. For example, it is recognised that "additional audits" usually involve environmental issues, in which case the EPA appointed auditor would be the appropriate auditor to lead such an audit.
The auditor must be independent of any consultancy used in the planning, design and construction of the feedlot.
NFAS and EPA Contact Details:
Proponents seeking a pre-operational audit or a routine audit should contact EPA or NFAS to identify a suitable auditor.
Environment Protection Authority, Victoria
Environmental Audit Unit - Environment Protection Authority
40 City Road, SOUTHBANK, Vic, 3006
Email: environmental. audit@epa.vic.gov.au
General contact number: 9695 2519
Facsimile: 9695 2579
Mailing address: GPO Box 4395QQ Melbourne Vic 3004
EPA website: www.epa.vic.gov.au
National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme
Mr Robert Taylor (Program Coordinator)
9 Buchanan Street
South Brisbane, Queensland 4101
PO Box 3175
South Brisbane, Queensland 4101
Phone: (07) 3247 7200
Fax: (07) 3247 7222
National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme
National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (external website)
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