Sheepmeat Council of Australia - LPA Quality Assurance (level 2)
Friday, 30 July 2010

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LPA Quality Assurance (level 2)
LPA Quality Assurance (Level 2)
The LPA on-farm quality assurance (QA) program (Level 2), incorporating the Cattlecare and Flockcare programs, consists of three modules: Food Safety Management (LPA Level 1), Systems Management and Livestock Management.

Systems Management and Livestock Management, as with Food Safety Management, are each made of five elements:
Systems Management
  1. Training
  2. Internal auditing and document control
  3. Quality Records
  4. Document Control
  5. Chemical Inventory
Livestock Management
  1. Livestock Husbandry and preparation
  2. Livestock handling facilities
  3. Livestock Transport
  4. Animal Welfare
  5. Accredited Livestock
The LPA QA program provides a range of benefits to both the producer and the industry. There is effort required by the producer to fully implement LPA QA, but this is offset by short and long-term benefits. Some of the benefits may include:
Improved product consistency:
LPA QA provides a system that improves product consistency by reduce bruising and other carcass damage, reduce damage to skins and to reduce the chance of unwanted chemical residues. This will mean that buyers, abattoirs, meat processors and grain purchasers will in turn be assured of consistency of product quality from the property.

Health of the livestock:
By implementing LPA QA, a rigorous system of preventative livestock health will be adopted. This will focus attention on the performance and welfare of the animals, ensuring improved productivity.

Risk management:
With a quality assurance system in place, producers are able to prove they were following industry standards and may be able to reduce the chance of legal claims against them.

Greater professionalism:
Participation in LPA QA will mean improved record keeping, improved staff training, clearly defined areas of responsibility and awareness of the customer requirements for product quality. This will also enhance the reputation of primary producers in the market place.

International recognition and market access:
Quality assurance can provide entry to specific markets. It is important for our industry to adopt a global view if we are to match the challenges into the next century by being proactive rather than reactive.


Product differentiation:

LPA QA accredited producers are able to sell a branded product identified by the LPA QA. This will result in numerous marketing opportunities as the industry moves towards a multitude of product brands encompassing a wide variety of quality attributes from paddock to plate. It will also assist the development of strategic alliances between producers, processors and consumers.
 
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