Record keeping goes hand in hand with farming. Part of record keeping for dairy farmers are Commodity Vendor Declarations (CVD) which should accompany all introduced stock feeds, to guarantee that the feed purchased is safe from chemical contamination.
A vendor declaration communicates the food safety status of a commodity, such as an animal, feed or fodder, as it moves through the supply chain.
The CVD provides details of:
- The chemical(s) used to treat the commodity;
- The rate and date of chemical application; and
- The relevant WHP/ESI/Export Animal Feed Interval (EAFI) as shown on the chemical label.
“Dairy farmers can and should demand a commodity vendor declaration when they purchase feed, this is a critical component of their food safety program” said Geoff Raven, CEO of Dairysafe. “This is important from a food safety and quality perspective. The CVD can help you ensure that any feed you purchase is fit for purpose.”
Vendor declarations should accompany consignments of feed to dairy farmers. The declaration includes information on the source of the feed, nutritional quality, chemicals used during growth and processing or potential for contamination through spray drift, testing status, and type of QA program used.
“There is a high potential for diseases, pests and weeds to be carried in feed supplies. To protect the health and safety of your livestock, crops and milk it is important to minimise the risks associated with feed,” Geoff said.
When you buy stock feeds, you may receive any of the following four stock feed commodity vendor declaration (CVD) forms:
- Commodity Vendor Declaration Form (SAFEMEAT);
- By-product Vendor Declaration Form (SAFEMEAT);
- Fodder Vendor Declaration Form (Australian Fodder Industry Assoc. Inc.); or
- Stockfood Supplier Declaration Form (Stock Feed Manufacturers Association of Australia).
Or alternatively, ask your processor as there are many templates available.