The integrity system for feedlots

LPA accreditation is validated in the NLIS database. Log into the database and run the ‘ERP PIC status’ report to identify a property identification code (PIC)’s current LPA status. While producers and third parties can only run this report for PICs that are linked to their account, agents, saleyards, feedlots, exporters and processors can run this report for any PIC.

If any PICs have cattle with a risk status residing on them, early warning (EW) PIC statuses will be disclosed to feedlots and processors, to help them prepare for and manage these cattle on arrival. If there are no high-risk PIC statuses assigned to the PIC, the results will indicate ‘clear no test’ – meaning there is no need for the carcase to be tested at slaughter.

There are various reasons for checking the ERP PIC status of properties:

• Feedlots and exporters must do this to prepare for the arrival of cattle.
• Livestock agents and saleyards must do this to prepare sale catalogues.
• Processors must ensure that cattle consigned for slaughter are fit for consumption.
• Producers and third parties may want to know whether PIC statuses have been applied to any PICs linked to their database accounts.
• To identify potentially contaminated animals prior to them reaching processing.

Find out more in the Check ERP PIC status Tech Tip

The description on the NVD needs to be clear and free of abbreviations that may not be widely recognised. If the animals need to be visually inspected, or the transporter is pulled over at some point on the journey, the description must adequately describe the animals in the space designated on the NVD. The NVD is a food safety document and, in the majority of states, it is also accepted as a movement record or waybill, so descriptions need to be able to be understood by anyone who reads it, especially for law enforcement.

An export slaughter interval (ESI) is the period that must lapse between chemical application to livestock and their slaughter for export. Compliance with the ESI means that the slaughtered livestock will meet the residue limits which apply in all export markets. ESIs are revised throughout the year, which means the ESI printed on your LPA NVD may be out of date. For the latest version, visit www.apvma.gov.au/esi.

The withholding period (WHP) for meat is the minimum time after an animal is treated with a veterinary medicine or pesticide before it may be legally slaughtered for human consumption. Withholding periods are set to ensure that chemical residues, if any, in the carcase are below the maximum residue limit allowed for that chemical in food in Australia. In general, slaughter and feeder animals should not be treated with a veterinary drug if the withholding period exceeds the expected date of departure from a property.

Product labels can be viewed on the PubCRIS database. 

If a producer makes a mistake when filling out an eNVD, agents should advise the producer to duplicate the consignment, update the details that they need to, and then delete the original. This can be done for 48 hours after the eNVD has been submitted.  Alternately, if the producer has printed the eNVD or has used a hard copy NVD, any changes to the NVD should be made directly onto the document with a pen and initialled.

The eNVD system currently enables producers to select an Animal Health Declaration and complete it at the same time as the NVD. It is easy to select, update and attach the document to the NVD consignment on the eNVD system. However, depending on your state, you may not be required to complete this form.

NSW Police recognise the eNVD app as a valid form of livestock movement documentation and is urging the red meat supply chain to understand their responsibilities when it comes to stock checks and having valid documentation.

Read more information on using the app during a roadside stock check.

If cattle lose their NLIS tag, there are several possibilities when it comes to ensuring continued lifetime traceability. All cattle must be tagged with a white coloured breeder tag before leaving their property of birth, and:

• If an animal loses its tag while still on the property of birth, it will need to have another white breeder tag applied. The animal will maintain its lifetime traceability regardless. If the number of the old tag is known, then a replacement can be done in the NLIS database.
• If an animal loses its tag after it has left the property of birth, it will need to have an orange post breeder tag applied. If the number of the old tag is known, then a replacement should be done in the NLIS database – linking the original tag to the replacement tag. The animal will then maintain its lifetime traceability. If the number of the original tag is not known and cannot be linked to the replacement tag, then the animal will lose its lifetime traceability.

Log in to the NLIS database using an agent or saleyard account and from the dropdown menu, select the report called ‘search the PIC register’. This is NLIS’s most frequently used report and allows users to search for details for a specific PIC, or search for the PIC associated with a business name, location, surname etc. It includes PICs for producers, abattoirs, saleyards and feedlots.

Find out more in the how-to guide: Search the PIC register.

To make it easier for producers, saleyard operators are encouraged to display the saleyard PIC in a visible location at the saleyards and in all communications to producers so that all producers are aware of the saleyard’s destination PIC.

The receiver of the livestock is responsible for completing the transfer on the NLIS database. For sellers, it is a good idea to check the transfer has gone through at least two days after the transaction.

Agents may have varying contracts and working relationships with their clients – some may only purchase, some may only sell and some may provide a full service. As an agent, ISC recommends being clear with your client to make sure both parties understand what has been agreed regarding the transfer.

Producers must identify on the NVD any animals that have a high-risk status that pose a risk to food safety (question nine on the NVD). They do not have to outline the EW status on the NVD if the consignment does not include any high-risk animals.