Why accurately completing NVDs is vital to integrity

With the release of updated versions of Livestock Production Assurance National Vendor Declarations (LPA NVDs) for all species, now is the time to ensure you are completing your NVDs correctly.

LPA NVDs provide evidence of livestock history and on-farm practices when transferring livestock through the value chain, allowing you and all other key stakeholders in the value chain to stand by what they sell.

Four key stakeholders throughout the value chain explain the importance of ensuring LPA NVDs are accurately completed.

Di Peisley, livestock transporter, Harden NSW

We are committed to providing a quality service to clients and playing our part in Australia’s red meat integrity system.  It is important that everyone involved in the red meat supply chain does their part to make sure the integrity of the industry is maintained.

Before livestock are loaded, we need producers to fulfil their responsibilities and be prepared.
That means ensuring LPA NVDs are completed correctly for each livestock consignment.
Correct documentation is essential for maintaining the traceability of the livestock across all journeys they may undertake through their life.

If consignment documentation hasn’t been completed correctly, we as transporters may be liable to prosecution under state or territory legislation.

Producers also need to ensure livestock are fit to load, manage feed and water and holding periods before loading, and make sure all animals are identified with an National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) accredited device before moving, unless a permit is obtained from the state or territory.

How livestock are managed before being transported impacts our ability to successfully manage livestock during transportation and when they arrive at their destination.

Depending on the species and pasture conditions before transport, water and feed curfews can be an important part of livestock management for transport and preventing faecal and urine contamination of livestock, vehicles and roads, and slipping and falling of livestock in wet livestock crates. It can also help minimise exposure to effluent for anyone involved with loading and unloading the animals.

Sam Hunter, AgStock Pty Ltd, Gundagai NSW

LPA NVDs are a legal document and are key to Australian red meat’s traceability and market access.
It is crucial that producers fill them out accurately, including questions about whether animals have been treated with hormonal growth promotants (HGPs). Incorrect or incomplete paperwork can potentially threaten Australia’s access to markets, and undermine consumer confidence.

As agents, we can’t sign LPA NVDS for clients. It is the responsibility of the producer to ensure they are completed and signed.

Accredited LPA producers can use the electronic National Vendor Declaration (eNVD) system to complete all paperwork digitally including livestock assurance and health declarations.  An LPA eNVD is the digital alternative to paper-based NVDs and is a faster, easier way to complete all necessary paperwork.

We’re reminding our clients that updated versions of LPA NVDs for all species are now available, identified by version number 0720.  Previous versions will continue to be accepted until 31 December 2020 and from 1 January 2021, only the updated versions of all NVDs (0720) will be accepted for all species.

Rick Maslin, SELX Saleyard Manager, Yass NSW

Managing large volumes of livestock through the saleyards and penning them for sale is a huge logistical exercise. Here at the South Eastern Livestock Exchange (SELX) at Yass, we have the capacity to sell 3,800 cattle and 30,000 sheep on any given sale day.

SELX staff and selling agents are committed to providing a facility that places animal welfare as its highest priority. Ensuring sale preparation and sale days run efficiently as possible is vital to animal health and welfare. To ensure preparation for sale days happens smoothly, efficiently and without any delays, it is critical that all livestock consignment paperwork is completed correctly.

Incorrect or incomplete LPA NVDs not only cause delays but can also mean your stock are unable to be offered for sale until the documentation is corrected and completed. Correctly completed LPA NVDs assist in attracting a competitive panel of buyers so producers can receive the best possible price for their livestock.

Jasmine Green, Digital Value Chain Officer, Teys Australia

When producers tick the box on their LPA NVD, they are declaring their on-farm practices meet LPA requirements, and ultimately customer expectations.

LPA NVDs are also vital for the purposes of export certification and market access. LPA NVDs help ensure the Department of Agricuture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) are able to certify the product within export meat consignments meet ours and importing countries requirements in terms of farming practices, including agricultural and veterinary chemical use on farm. If an LPA NVD isn’t completed correctly, it weakens integrity, and means we can’t process animals in the consignment it relates to.

Delays to processing of livestock impacts not only the animals, but everyone involved in the value chain – producers, processors, customers and consumers.

Delays (because an LPA NVD is not completed correctly) can lead to extended time in lairage, which can impact animal health and welfare and ultimately meat quality. It also has the potential to impact a producer’s ability to comply with programs such as Meat Standards Australia.