Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), utilising data carried in a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID).
This Unit is applicable for those purchasing livestock, receiving and managing livestock in lairage, livestock clerks, Quality Assurance managers, slaughter floor supervisors, reader and NLIS terminal operators on the slaughter floor, meat authority staff and auditors.
All work should be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, customer requirements and product specifications.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit must be delivered and assessed in the context of Australian meat processing standards and regulations.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Describe the history of the NLIS and its benefit to industry | 1.1 Explain why the industry has implemented an RFID based identification system 1.2 Explain the benefits of the NLIS to industry |
2. Describe the nature and function of a Property Identification Code (PIC) | 2.1 Identify the component parts of a PIC 2.2 Explain the business rules for the use of a PIC 2.3 Explain the importance of the PIC to the NLIS |
3. Describe and interpret the data contained on a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) | 3.1 Explain the purpose of an NVD 3.2 Explain the information contained on an NVD 3.3 Interpret the importance of the various details on the NVD for an abattoir 3.4 Identify the various mistakes that can be made by producers when completing NVDs 3.5 Describe the actions that have to be taken when NVDs are incomplete or incorrectly filled in 3.6 Describe the path of the NVD from producer to processor and the impact of incorrect information being recorded on the NVD |
4. Complete a review of an NVD as received by a meat processor | 4.1 Identify the important information on an NVD 4.2 Identify errors 4.3 Describe the corrective actions to be taken |
5. Identify the various NLIS devices | 5.1 Explain the purpose of an NLIS device and the information on it 5.2 Describe the relationship between an RFID and an NLIS identification device 5.3 Explain the difference between an RFID ear tag and bolus 5.4 Identify the factors that can influence the readability of an NLIS device |
6. Identify the various NLIS regulations that apply to producers, saleyards and meat processors | 6.1 Identify and explain the role of the key organisations associated with the NLIS 6.2 Describe the NLIS regulatory obligations for producers, saleyards and slaughtering establishments 6.3 Describe the corrective action to be taken with non-identified stock 6.4 Describe the corrective action to be taken with non-reading devices |
7. Describe the function of the kill sheet | 7.1 Explain the purpose of a kill sheet and who prepares it 7.2 Identify the various component parts of a kill sheet and the information contained in it 7.3 Explain the importance of following the kill sheet schedule and of validating the kill sheet to the NLIS data gathered 7.4 Explain how untagged animals are dealt with prior to and during the slaughter process |
8. Explain the role of Post-Sale Summaries (PSSs) | 8.1 Explain what data is contained in a pre-sale catalogue and why it is important 8.2 Explain why PSSs are forwarded to abattoirs from saleyards 8.3 Explain how and why PICs are confirmed by abattoirs with the NLIS database |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must work with the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), utilising data carried in a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID).
The candidate must:
describe the history of the NLIS and its benefit to industry
describe the nature and function of a PIC
describe and interpret the data contained on an NVD
complete a review of an NVD as received by a meat processor
identify the various NLIS devices
identify the various NLIS regulations that apply to producers, saleyards and meat processors
describe the function of the kill sheet
explain the role of pre-sale catalogues and post-sale summaries
take appropriate steps to minimise workplace health and safety risks when working with livestock
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate a factual, technical, procedural and theoretical knowledge of:
the NLIS system, including the origin and nature of the system, its commercial importance, role in food safety and importing country requirements, role in traceability
purpose and benefits of the NLIS to industry
NLIS data base and its management
NLIS devices including RFIDs and boluses, and their purpose and function in the NLIS
NLIS regulatory requirements in relation to abattoirs
purpose and types of NLIS tags for sheep and goats
information printed on the NLIS cattle ear devices
purpose, nature of and regulations underpinning the use of PICs
how to deal with problems originating from consignment PIC
purpose of an NVD
information recorded on an NVD
regulatory responsibilities of the various parties in the supply chain
role of pre-sale catalogues and PSSs
function of the kill sheet
the function of post breeder tags
status, abbreviations and what they mean, and the required actions to be taken in response
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in the workplace.
As a minimum, the following three forms of assessment must be used:
quiz of underpinning knowledge
workplace demonstration
workplace referee or third-party report of performance over time
Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.