Australian Quality Assurance As an island continent, Australia was once naturally isolated from most exotic diseases.  However, with the increase in global trade and travel, Australia's agriculatural industries and unique natural environment is at risk of foreign diseases.  As a result, Australian Quarantine & Inspection Services (AQIS) developed and controls the Meat Safety Assurance System (MSQA) for fresh meat and processed meat products.  Rigorous standards for all steps of the meat exportation process must be met by importers and exporters alike helping to ensure that Australia will remain relatively free from most of the worlds serious pests and diseases.  For more information on Australian meat standards, please visit www.aqis.com.          New Zealand  Quality Assurance   New Zealand has the world's leading meat classification and grading system.  Broadly, its elements are as follows: Veterinary health certificates - all New Zealand export meat carries a certification issued by veterinarians from the quality division of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF).  This certificate is the buyer's guarantee that the meat complies with the public health and hygiene requirements of the country in which it is sold.  Monitoring for chemical residues - to ensure New Zealand meat and meat products do not contain residues which exceed internationally-agreed levels or the requirement of importing countries or are harmful to health, MAF also conducts a monitoring and surveillance program. Classification of carcasses - Dressed carcasses are classified according to animal type, weight and fat content. Specifications for cuts - All New Zealand meat is cut to objectively-defined specifications, each of which has its own Standard Packaging number. Tenderness standards for lamb - All New Zealand export lamb complies with an objective tenderness standard; one of the few standards of its kind in the world. For more information on New Zealand standards and the strict agricultural requirements, visit www.meatnz.co.nz. Halal Meat Products Halal (حلال, ḥalāl, halaal) is an Arabic term meaning "permissible". In the English language it most frequently refers to food that is permissible according to Islamic law. In the Arabic language it refers to anything that is permissible under Islam.