January 17, 2007

Australia's pig industry reviews pig tracing system

Australia's pig industry is to review its traceability system- the PigPass National Vendor Declaration (NVD) scheme.

PigPass NVD was implemented in July last year as part of a pig traceability system to meet the national performance standards for livestock traceability.

The review of the current version, PigPass NVD Version 2, would involve feedback from producers as well as key pig industry organizations, export and domestic processors, saleyard operators, agents and livestock transporters and state and federal authorities.

The outcomes of other initiatives such as a risk assessment of stockfeed and feed ingredients presently being conducted by Australian Pork Limited would also be included.

The review would mainly focus on the operational experience and feedback from all sectors of the industry that have used, or had some association with, PigPass NVD Versions 1 and 2 over the past six months, APL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Spencer said

Areas that require streamlining and improvement would be identified before moving to PigPass NVD Version 3, expected to be out at the second quarter of this year.

Version 3 and any later versions would be "controlled" systems where all users would be registered and the NVD forms numbered, Spencer said.

A background paper has been developed to assist interested parties take part in the review, Spencer said. Review information are to be submitted end of February.