Egg Farm
If you produce eggs in Queensland (including storing, cleaning, candling, grading or packing eggs), with the intent to sell or supply them for human consumption, then you require an accreditation with Safe Food Production Queensland (Safe Food).
This activity is classified as Producing under the Egg Scheme of the Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014.
Supplying eggs to a processing facility
If you intend to supply your eggs to multiple processing facilities, then you will require an accreditation as a Producer, which will incur fees. If you intend to supply eggs to only one processing facility, then you may become accredited under a Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA). Under a PSA, you are not required to pay fees to Safe Food.
Other accreditations you may need
If you are storing, handling, washing, candling, grading, or packing eggs on behalf of other egg producers, then you will require an accreditation as a Processor. Under a Processor accreditation, your own activities as an Egg Producer will be covered (i.e. you will not require two separate accreditations).
Before you apply
As an egg producer, your application for accreditation will be split into two parts.
Part 1 will require you to submit what is listed below under “What should I submit with my application”? Part 2 will involve addressing your biosecurity requirements as an egg farm to ensure you comply with Queensland’s Salmonella Enteritidis Prevention Plan. You will be asked to complete certain tasks via the Safe Food Hub. Further information about this will be provided once Part 1 of your application has been submitted and reviewed by Safe Food.
Processing eggs in an approved facility
As an Egg Producer, the storage, cleaning, candling, grading or packing of eggs must be done so in an approved facility that meets the requirements of:
- Primary Production and Processing Standard for Eggs and Egg Products Standard 4.2.5
AND - Food Standards Code Standard 3.2.3 (Food Premises and Equipment)
If your premise complies with these requirements and you wish to proceed with an application for accreditation, please see below for what you need to submit.
What should I submit with my application?
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Application form
Complete the Application form and select Producing (egg scheme) as your activity on page 2. If you are applying for accreditation under a PSA, then also select this option.
Note: If you want to complete this form on your mobile or desktop, please download or save it first.
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Payment of fees
Fees and payment details can be viewed within the Application form.
*If you are applying under a PSA, ignore the total fees payable. PSA accreditations are issued at no charge.
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Management Statement or Food Safety Program
You must submit either a management statement or food safety program detailing your on-farm practices.
A management statement is a concise way of documenting how your business intends to operate and what activities you intend to undertake. It should be written by you (the applicant) in your own words. We also accept other formats of this management statement (e.g. from processors).
A Food Safety Program can be accepted instead of a management statement if you have one.
Note: If you want to complete the management statement template above on your mobile or desktop, please download or save it first.
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Approval from local council
You must provide written confirmation from your local council that you are permitted to undertake your proposed activities at the site from which you intend to operate.
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Evidence of registration as biosecurity entity
You must provide evidence to Safe Food that you have registered as a biosecurity entity with Biosecurity Queensland, and provide your Property Identification Code (PIC). More information is available here.
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Biosecurity map
You must submit a biosecurity map for each site that you are applying for accreditation. This will help identify the biosecurity strengths and weaknesses of your property. Further instructions and an example biosecurity map are available.
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Signed PSA Agreement (PSA applicants only)
If you are applying under a PSA, you must submit a signed agreement between you (the supplier) and the processor that will receive your eggs. Under a PSA, you can only supply to one processor. This processor is responsible for ensuring you operate in accordance with their approved Food Safety Program, the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000 and the Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014.
A blank copy of a PSA Agreement can be downloaded here.
Submit your completed application to applications@safefood.qld.gov.au or PO Box 221, Greenslopes, Brisbane, QLD 4120.
When to apply
Under the Food Production (Safety) Act 2000, it is unlawful to engage in certain activities relating to primary production or processing of food until you have been granted an accreditation by Safe Food. As such, you should allow adequate time for your application to be reviewed by Safe Food before you begin operating.
Part 1 of your application will aim to be assessed within 14 days, although applications submitted in their entirety (with all the items outlined above) are likely to be processed faster.
Upon submission of your application, a member of our Central Assessment Team will contact you for payment (if paying by credit card).* Once payment has been received, your application will be assessed, and we will contact you if we require any further information.
You will be notified in writing about the outcome of your application (approved or refused).
*If you are applying under a PSA, you will not be charged any fees.
Part 2 of your application will involve addressing your biosecurity requirements as an egg farm. These requirements are in response to Queensland’s Salmonella Enteritidis Prevention Plan to ensure that all egg and poultry producers and processors are following a set of standard operating procedures to reduce the risk of Salmonella Enteritidis from entering Queensland. You will be asked to complete the following tasks online via the Safe Food Hub:
- Business profile
- Food Safety Management Checklist
Part 2 of your application will be assessed within 5 days and we will contact you if we require any further information.
Further information about Part 2 will be provided once Part 1 of your application has been reviewed by Safe Food.
Fees
Fees are based on the activities you are carrying out and are outlined in the Application form.
New applications will incur a one-time application fee that is non-refundable.*
Our accreditation period runs from 1st January – 31st December.** You will therefore need to renew your accreditation on an annual basis.
For more information, please refer to our fees & charges.
*If you are applying under a PSA, you will not pay any fees.
**Our fees are not pro-rata.
Standards & guidelines
Food Production (Safety) Regulation 2014
Food Production (Safety) Act 2000
Food Standards Code (Primary Production and Processing Standard for Eggs and Egg Products) Standard 4.2.5
Food Standards Code (Food Premises and Equipment) Standard 3.2.3.
Safe Food Guideline for Egg Cleaning Procedures
National Farm Biosecurity Manual – Poultry Production
National Water Biosecurity – Poultry Production
Salmonella Enteritidis Prevention Plan – Standard Operating Procedures for Egg Farms
Safe Food Notifications Protocol