Who is audited and what does it involve?
All LPA accredited producers – from large scale operators to hobby farmers – may be audited, with audit participants selected from the database of LPA accredited producers. Annually, 2,000 producers are selected at random and 1,000 selected for targeted audits due to system identified non-conformance.
Producers selected for audits will receive an LPA Audit Notification Pack containing information to help prepare for the audit. They are then contacted by an auditor to organise a time for the audit to take place.
During the audit, the auditor will check how records are maintained and how food safety, biosecurity and animal welfare management is being carried out. The auditor may accompany the producer on an inspection of property facilities relating to food safety. Parts of the farm that have been identified as contaminated with persistent chemicals may also be visited to review the management systems implemented at these locations.
Qualified auditors from AUS-MEAT conduct the on-farm audits for LPA.
Why does LPA need audits?
On-farm audits are conducted each year to ensure the management systems utilised by livestock producers are complying with LPA rules and standards. They act as a check of Australia’s red meat integrity system.
How to prepare for an audit
Producers should review on-farm practices against the audit checklist included in the LPA Audit Notification Pack to ensure their operation is up to date. This will help identify any areas that may need attention before the audit, ensuring the process is as smooth as possible.
All LPA-accredited producers – from large scale operators to hobby farmers – may be audited to check how records are maintained and how food safety, biosecurity and animal welfare management is being carried out on-farm.
Read more about LPA audits.
Producers selected for an audit will receive a notification letter informing them of their selection.
Following the letter, you will be contacted by a representative from LPA’s auditing body, AUSMEAT, to schedule a suitable time and date for the audit. You will receive an audit checklist that covers what evidence or documentation is required for each LPA requirement and the process for managing issues identified in an audit.
Read more about LPA audits and download a copy of the audit checklist.
There is no charge for an initial LPA audit because the cost is covered by the LPA program. However, should the first audit reveal LPA requirements are not being met on-farm, subsequent audits may be required to ensure compliance and the producer may be charged for these.
It is a condition of accreditation that LPA producers agree to participate in the audit process. Refusal to participate may result in the producers’ LPA accreditation being withdrawn from the program, and no longer have access to LPA NVDs.
Audits take two to four hours on average, depending on the size of the operation and the producer’s management systems and understanding of LPA.
Producers should review on-farm practices against the audit checklist included with the LPA Audit Notification letter to ensure their operation is up to date and compliant with program rules and standards.
Reviewing the checklist will help identify any areas that may need attention before the audit, ensuring the process is as smooth as possible although it is recommended that each selected producer completes the online learning modules to refresh their understanding of the program requirements.
Minor
During an audit, an auditor may find on-farm management that might not meet the LPA requirements. If the issue is deemed to be ‘minor’ when assessing against the rules and standards, the auditor may record an ‘observation’ which identifies that the producer should consider taking action to improve the relevant practice.
Major
If the issue requires action, the auditor may raise a ‘major’ non-conformance corrective Action Request (CAR), which will identify that an action is required. The producer will need to provide evidence that this action has been addressed in order to close out the CAR and ensure the LPA accreditation is compliant with LPA requirements. This action can be completed on the LPA Service centre and will be followed up by LPA’s auditing provider, AUSMEAT, should it not be actioned.
Critical
If the issue is more significant, the auditor may raise a ‘critical’ incident with corrective action request (CAR) resulting in the immediate suspension of the LPA accreditation.
Failure to address actions required from an audit may lead to a producer’s accreditation being withdrawn from the program.
Read more here.
2,000 PICs are randomly selected to undergo an LPA audit each year. A further 1,000 PICs are chosen to participate in targeted LPA audits.
The National Residue Survey (NRS) is part of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE). Its role is to manage the risk of chemical residues and environmental contaminants in animal and plant products.
The NRS audit program monitors the cattle, sheep and goat industries. Since 2009, there has been more than 30,000 NRS targeted property audits conducted in Australia as part of a comprehensive approach to residue management.
NRS targeted audits are completed on behalf of ISC by qualified AUS-MEAT auditors and include a focus on the fulfilment of LPA program requirements. Information collected during NRS targeted audits is provided to DAWE to help the Australian livestock industry achieve quality assurance and food safety initiatives, as well as develop policy and conduct other related activities.
Either ISC or DAWE may disclose audit information to other government, statutory and regulatory authorities to assist with their regulatory or compliance functions. Any personal information collected and disclosed through an audit is protected by the Privacy Act 1988. DAWE will only handle your personal information in accordance with its privacy policy, which is available here. For more information, visit the NRS website.