Livestock traceability essential for global market access
Key Points
- Traceability is critical to protecting market access
- Integrity system compliance is everyone’s job
- NVDs and eNVDs must be clear, complete and correct
- eNVD is the faster, easier way to complete livestock consignments
Since setting up business in 1974, Gundagai Meat Processors (GMP) has grown from processing around 5,000 lambs each year to over one million.
With a state-of-the-art processing facility and one of the most advanced lamb carcase chillers in the world, GMP is also a significant employer in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW.
A key to the processor’s success has been building trusted, long-term partnerships with its customers – both domestically and internationally.
Today, GMP is approved to export its lamb products to 70 countries around the world.
As supply chain coordinator for GMP’s Gundagai Lamb brand, Jake Bourlet is a firm believer that lifetime traceability of livestock is critical to the industry’s global market access.
Central to this is complying with Australia’s red meat integrity system, including:
- LPA National Vendor Declarations (NVDs)
Compliance is key
“At GMP, we are committed to surpassing the requirements of our customers, whether Australian-based or overseas. LPA NVDs help us to achieve this and uphold the standards that our customers demand and have come to expect,” Jake said.
Designed to record livestock history and on-farm practices along the red meat supply chain, Jake sees NVDs as a declaration of food safety and traceability. As such, it’s essential when filling out an NVD that it is clear, complete and correct.
“The biggest non-compliance issue we have with NVDs is that the form is not completed correctly. This can impact the entire supply chain, and potentially, access to our global markets. An incomplete NVD means we need to chase up the producer because their declaration about the livestock consigned to GMP is not considered valid. Not only is this time consuming, but there is a flow on effect because it can create issues on our sell side.”
“Our customers require proof that they are buying the product listed on the NVD. Based on that requirement, the impact of an incomplete NVD could be reduced market access,” said Jake.
GMP follows a clear process when it comes to accepting livestock deliveries to mitigate the risks associated with incorrect NVDs.
When transporters arrive at the front gate of the processing facility, they are asked to confirm the number of animals on the truck. They then proceed to the yards and hand over the corresponding NVD.
The NVD is then signed off by the GMP’s Lairage Manager who confirms that the number of livestock consigned to the processor is a match at both pick-up and delivery points.
Jake also points out that the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) has an important function as part of the integrity system.
“NLIS is a key piece of the puzzle. The NLIS accredited tag or device attached to an animal allows full traceability of its movements for life, while LPA provides assurance to purchasers that on-farm practices are of an acceptable standard.”
“Australia’s red meat integrity system is critical to the entire red meat value chain. Every single person needs to play their part. Not just processors, but agents, saleyard operators, feedlots, transporters and producers. The system supports lifetime traceability – from on-farm through to processing - and ultimately underpins continued growth of red meat sales,” Jake adds.
eNVD is the future
Innovation and the adoption of new technologies is central to GMP’s philosophy, so switching to electronic NVDs (eNVDs) is a no brainer as far as Jake is concerned.
“Completing livestock consignments electronically not only saves time, but it provides new levels of visibility when it comes to tracking an animal. It’s great to see a steady increase in the number of eNVDs coming through GMP. It’s definitely the way of the future.”
The mobile-friendly, more user-centric version of the eNVD system is available for LPA-accredited producers, feedlots and value chain stakeholders. The eNVD allows you to save time by only answering questions once, pre-populating your regular consignments, and printing at any time – even completing at the yards, if needed.