THOMAS Foods International national livestock manager for sheep and lamb Paul Leonard said the company had not considered the changeover to the new National Vendor Declarations (NVDs) a major issue.
"Generally, most people have adhered to the request, and we've got 98 per cent compliance now," he said.
"It's not just for us as a company, it's an industry standard.
"All the export processors are requiring the most up-to-date declaration, so the 2013 NVD should be the one that is being used.
"There was a bit of conjecture about whether the new NVD was needed from January 1 or February 1, but from our perspective it was from February 1 onwards."
Mr Leonard said there was plenty of consultation with industry leading up to the change.
"We have been consulting with industry about the change since late November and early December, as well as with agents and our direct clients, letting them know that from February 1 we needed the latest NVD," he said.
"From our perspective, it's critical that we can guarantee we're supplying the highest quality meat to our world market. Our export market customers expect us to use the latest NVDs.
"NVDs are being updated constantly so there's no point using antiquated 2008 NVDs when the 2013 version is the most current.
"It's really no different to a driver's licence, people are expected to use a current one."
Mr Leonard said while he was aware there had been some issues getting hold of new declarations in recent weeks, he said vendors should be able to source an emergency NVD online.
"I believe there have been some issues because there's been massive demand to get a 2013 NVD," he said.
"But we had made it very clear before the new year that the new NVDs were needed."
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
