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Issues and programs: Industry systems Assuring quality and traceability With 95% goat meat exported overseas at a value of more than $55 million in 2007-08, Australia relies heavily on its ability to supply safe, quality-assured product. The livestock industry systems below are the key to assuring the on-farm safety and traceability of Australian goat meat.
Livestock Production Assurance
Goats are included in Meat and Livestock Australia's (MLA) Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program. LPA is an on-farm food safety certification program designed to help the red meat industry strengthen the food safety systems currently in place. LPA provides goat producers with a set of guidelines and a revised National Vendor Declaration (NVD) to help declare the food safety status of their livestock. These guidelines present goat producers with very basic animal production and record keeping requirements. In most cases producers will not need to change their on-farm management practices. The number of goat-producing properties registered on the LPA database continues to grow. Currently there are 8,119 goat properties registered on the LPA database. Industry leaders remind goat producers that they must be fully accredited in the LPA database to continue using the LPA NVD. To find out more about LPA, visit the MLA website. Goat NVD orders are increasing across Australia every month. This reflects the growing demand for NVDs by buyers in the processing sector and livestock traders. To participate in LPA and be eligible to use LPA NVDs for goats, you need to have a Property Identification Code (PIC). PIC numbers are obtained from your state departments of agriculture or your rural land protection boards. After obtaining a PIC, register for LPA by calling the LPA hotline on 1800 683 111 (choose option 3), or visit the website and click ‘register for LPA’. There is a guide book that producers must read before becoming accredited within the LPA program. This is available for purchase at the time that you register for LPA, or you can download this from the internet for free. The guide book explains what the program is about and what documentation is required to be kept. Industry leaders remind goat producers that they must be fully accredited in the LPA database to continue using the LPA NVD for goats. More information on LPA or NVDs email: lpa@mla.com.au or visit the MLA website. National Livestock Identification Scheme The NLIS (Sheep & Goats) underpins the integrity of Australia’s goat industry by allowing fast and accurate identification and traceability in case of a food safety issue or an emergency animal disease outbreak. It ensures that domestic and export consumers have confidence in Australia’s reputation as a producer of safe, quality red meat. The Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA) urges goat producers to ensure they meet the requirements for goat traceability. Failure to do so is likely to result in the imposition of a more labour intensive and costly system, such as applying a pink post-breeder tag each time stock are sold. Goat producers have a chance to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the current NLIS (Sheep & Goats) through ensuring they follow ear tagging reuqirements and accurate completion of the LPA NVDs. State departments of primary industries or agriculture monitor whether producers accurately complete NVDs and producers must therefore make themselves aware of their responsibilities. The system relies on goat producers doing three things before they move or sell goats.
Further information
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