Australian NLIS Cattle Program Scott Stuart

Tour of Australian Livestock Identification and Food Safety Systems: 

Tour of Australian Livestock Identification and Food Safety Systems Scott Stuart, CEO National Livestock Producers Association 'A Yankee’s View'

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U.S. / Australian Delegation

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Ed Klim Secretariat, SAFEMEAT Manager of Food Safety Systems, DAFF

Traceability history in Australia: 

Traceability history in Australia Australia manages a herd of 26 million cattle on approximately 80,000 holdings Since 1967 each holding has its own unique number Property Identification Code (PIC) All cattle consigned from each holding must be accompanied by that unique herd number (PIC)

Traceability history in Australia - cattle: 

Traceability history in Australia - cattle Australia exports 70% of beef and sheep meats – international customer focus Move from mandatory property based system to individual whole of life phased in approach and will remain mandatory on completion. Government and industry partnership Started move to individual RFID 8 years ago

Traceability history in Australia - other species: 

Traceability history in Australia - other species Sheep – approximately 100 million sheep - moving to mandatory property number ear tag Pigs – approximately 2.77 million pigs – mainly tattoo (or ear tags) – lot/ batch or property Horses - Racing industry – RFID and DNA records

NLIS features: 

NLIS features Underpinned by Federal/State/ Industry commitment Serves a diverse industry Varying production systems Confidentiality – supported by legislation Database access restricted FOI Act Shared Funding Industry andamp; Governments

NLIS funding: 

NLIS funding Livestock Producers - $7 - $10 million since 1997 Funds from - Producer Levies (25%) - Processor Levies (25%) - Federal Government (50%) Used for - NLIS Database - Saleyard and abattoir assistance - Extension / Communication Government funding - Assist rollout to date (andlt;$15 million) - Additional $20 million election promise

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John Wyld Chairman, National Livestock Identification System

Defined implementation roles…: 

Defined implementation roles… Legislation State government Policy and implementation State governments State based implementation committees Service delivery (Database) Meat and Livestock Australia NLIS Database Information tools Training and technical support Demonstration sites and workshops

NLIS: Lessons learned: 

NLIS: Lessons learned Cannot be done overnight Need solid groundwork Agreed Core Principles Communication Standardized Single RF Technology Must be electronic Communication Database Structure – Industry / Governments To be effective - must be mandatory Implementation assistance in the field essential Had to make a start! Will never get 100% agreement!

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Rick Beasley NLIS Operations Manager, MLA

Critical ingredients: 

Critical ingredients 1. Builds on current system Property Identification Code (PIC) is crucial 2. Standard radio frequency identification devices and readers 3. Central database – Speed and accuracy

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Dr. Tony Britt Principal Scientist, Livestock Quality Assurance Victoria Dept. of Primary Industries

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Victoria Livestock Exchange, Pakenham Saleyards

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Matt O’Connor Senior Manager, Gandamp;K O’Connor Abattoir

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Gordon Lockett Lockett Dairy Farm, Neerim North, VIC

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Paul White Manager, Warrnambool Livestock Exchange

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'Koolomurt' Coleraine, VIC Owned by John Wyld

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Wangaratta Livestock Exchange Wangaratta, VIC

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Yankee Observations…: 

Yankee Observations… Government / Industry partnership is a must Industry cooperation is a must Workable / affordable technology is a must Education / outreach is a must Adaptability is a must

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