Meat and Livestock Australia's (MLA) Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program is moving towards an electronic model.
From June 2017, electronic National Vendor Declarations (eNVD) were made available at no cost to LPA accredited producers. The new platform also offers producers electronic access to animal health declarations, Meat Standards Australia declarations and National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme declarations.
In addition, from 1 October 2017, producers who want to gain LPA accreditation or keep their LPA accreditation status will be required to complete online learning modules and a short assessment (at a cost of $60 plus GST) every three years. Producers who want to participate in the LPA program will need to have a Farm Biosecurity Plan and will also be required to demonstrate that they have implemented on-farm systems which ensure their livestock handling practices are consistent with the requirements set out by the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines.
According to MLA, the online learning modules are designed to help upskill participants and ensure the continuation of Australia's high quality meat production industry.
The new electronic LPA program, including the eNVD, is designed to eventually replace paper National Vendor Declarations (NVD) although no specific phase out date has been announced.
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