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Abattoir Consignments Require Nlis Identification

The National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) is Australia’s electronic, computer based system for identifying and tracking beef and dairy cattle.

By news@gippsland - 27th May 2004 - Back to News

The National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) is Australia’s electronic, computer based system for identifying and tracking beef and dairy cattle. Fully implemented, it can allow quick and accurate tracing of individual animals, both from property to property and from birth to slaughter.

Over the past two and a half years, Victoria has been strategically and systematically implementing the Scheme. In Gippsland, uptake has been of a consistently high standard. This has been demonstrated by the high level of compliance evidenced in the regions livestock selling facilities.

However, in January 2004, it became law in Victoria for all slaughter cattle consigned directly from a Victorian property to an abattoir to be identified with an NLIS device prior to dispatch from the property. This simply means that in addition to applying a normal pink tail tag or ear tag to direct slaughter cattle, producers now need to ensure that an NLIS device has been applied as well. There are no age exemptions to this requirement.

Since mid 2003 it has been mandatory for processors to scan all cattle on the kill floor, and to register those animals with a ‘deceased’ status on the NLIS database. In effect, this notification indicates to Safe Meat and to Meat and Livestock Australia that specific animals have entered the human food chain.

So far this calendar year, more than 420,000 head have been reported to the NLIS database by Victorian abattoirs.

So, to avoid compromising the integrity of the Scheme, and to allow quick and accurate trace-back activities, please ensure your direct slaughter cattle are correctly identified when consigned to Gippsland abattoirs.

For further information regarding the National Livestock Identification Scheme and consigning animals for slaughter, please contact your local DPI office at Bairnsdale on (03) 51520 600, Maffra (03) 5147 0800, Ellinbank (03) 5624 2222 or Leongatha on (03) 5662 9900.

RUBUS BERRY BEST PRACTICE MANUAL

NOW AVAILABLE

Australian growers of Rubus berries (raspberries and allied crops) are set to improve their productivity and sustainability following the release of the new Rubus Integrated Fruit Production Manual.

Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fruitcheque facilitator and Raspberry Industry Development Officer, Alison Brinson, recently presented a copy of the new manual to Australian Rubus Growers Association (ARGA) President Karen Meeuwissen.

Mrs Brinson said that the Manual reflects the vision of the Rubus growers to build a vibrant, forward-looking industry.

"Adoption of best management practices will help Rubus growers to maintain the profitability and sustainability of their industry, whilst producing a premium quality product," she said.

"Consumers will taste the benefits of the Rubus growers’ commitment to growing fabulous fruit."

In accepting the manual on behalf of the ARGA, Mrs Meeuwissen said that the manual brought together the best in expert knowledge about managing raspberry production. "It is an excellent resource and will make an invaluable contribution to industry development," she said.

The Integrated Fruit Production Manual provides best practice information about the fertiliser requirements of Rubus berries and how to use minimal spray programs to manage pests and diseases. Future modules of the Manual will cover best practice in irrigation scheduling to improve water use efficiency.

The Manual has been produced with financial support from ARGA and Horticulture Australia Limited. All ARGA members throughout Australia will receive a copy of the Manual in the mail.

For further information, please telephone the Raspberry Industry Development Officer, Alison Brinson, at Knoxfield on (03) 9210 9308.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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