Tuesday 28 July, 2009

Primary Industries and Resources SA in conjunction with major sheep processors and livestock agents is set to increase compliance activities relating to the completion and accuracy of National Vendor Declarations (NVD).

As well as ensuring food safety, the NVD is a vital part of Australia’s sheep and goat traceability system. Without individual electronic identification, the NVD provides a crucial link back to an animal’s last property of residence.

Recent audits continue to uncover an unacceptable number of incomplete NVDs, particularly from vendors selling sheep they have not bred themselves.

South Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Rob Rahaley, said the South Australian sheep and goat industries have an expectation that PIRSA will enforce compliance with this vital component of South Australia’s food safety and traceability system.

“To help improve producer awareness regarding NVDs PIRSA will be increasing its auditing of NVDs at saleyards and abattoirs with a particular emphasis on non-vendor bred consignments,” he said.

“From August 10, PIRSA inspectors will be spot auditing the NVDs delivered with every consignment at major South Australian selling centres and export abattoirs.”

The increased scrutiny on NVD accuracy is an initiative of the South Australian NLIS-Sheep and Goat Implementation Committee, which is comprised of representatives from producer groups, processors, agents, government and saleyard operators.

Dale Cameron, Livestock Manager with Tatiara Meat Company is concerned with the accuracy of NVDs accompanying sheep and lambs he is purchasing.

“The main problem we are encountering is with question 3 on the NVD,” he said.

“If producers have not bred the sheep they are selling they must answer ‘no’ to question 3 and list the Property Identification Codes printed on the ear tags of the introduced sheep.

“Alternatively producers can apply pink transaction tags on all of the animals in the consignment.”

Gary Tapscott, President of Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association (ALPA) urges producers to take the NVD seriously.

“The NVD is vital to the welfare of Australia’s sheep industry and the information on the NVD is demanded by consumers of Australian sheep meat products,” Mr. Tapscott said

Producers who supply an incomplete or inaccurate NVD will receive a warning letter or expiation from PIRSA.

“Failing to accurately answer question 3 on the NVD in particular can result in regulatory action being taken against that producer in addition to the possibility of significant commercial discounts or sheep being withdrawn from sale altogether,” explained Dr Rahaley.

Producers who are unsure about how to correctly complete their NVD are urged to contact the PIRSA NLIS helpline on 1800 654 688.