National Vendor Declarations (NVDs) provide a mechanism for the transfer of information on the history of livestock consigned for sale or slaughter and allows producers to declare the residue status of their livestock, among other things. The NVD is a statutory declaration that owners must sign prior to selling slaughter livestock. From its inception in 1996, the cattle NVD has been linked to consignment by the Property Identification Code (PIC).

The Livestock Production Assurance program backs the NVD and is a voluntary system underpinned by State legislation such that producers who provide false or misleading information on NVD forms face prosecution and substantial fines.