NLIS Sheep & Goats is Australia's system for identifying and tracing sheep, lambs and goats. It is a mob-based system that links animals with the properties on which they have run.

This National Livestock Identification System enhances Australia's ability to maintain access to key export markets and will help to quickly contain a major food safety or disease incident. It is being implemented by industry in partnership with governments across Australia.

NLIS Sheep & Goats was introduced on 1 January 2006. It uses visually readable ear tags printed with a Property Identification Code (PIC) to identify mobs of sheep and goats. Traceability is provided by the combination of tags, movement documents and records.

What do I need to do for NLIS Sheep & Goats?

The NSW requirements (from 1 January 2006) are summarised below.

• Have a property identification code (PIC). Contact your Livestock Health and Pest Authority if you don't have one. If you run cattle, the PIC is the same.
• Tag all sheep and goats with an NLIS Breeder tag for sheep and goats before they are sent to a saleyard, abattoir or to another property.
• Untagged animals that were not born on that property should be tagged with an NLIS pink Post-breeder tag before they are moved.
• Also use a pink Post-breeder tag:
  • to replace missing tags on sheep and goats no longer on their property of birth
  • if you opt not to record on your movement document all PICs on tags on sheep or goats being moved.

• Use an appropriate movement document, usually an NVD or TSS,   when sending sheep or goats to a saleyard, abattoir or another property. Both the consignor and the purchaser/receiver of the stock must keep their copy of this document for seven years.  A post sale summary may be used in conjunction with a TSS for movements from a saleyard to a property or an abattoir. A Sheep or Goat Health Statement is required for some movements to comply with OJD legislation but they are not an approved movement document for NLIS purposes.
• Once an NLIS Sheep/Goat tag is attached, it must not be removed until the animal is processed in an abattoir or knackery.
• Emergency tags will be available through the Livestock Health and Pest Authority but only in special circumstances, such as if a small mob of sheep arrive at a saleyard and are not tagged.

On the movement document, record the PIC of the property that the sheep or goats are travelling from as well as the PICs on tags in the animals' ears, if they are different.

Producers who are reselling sheep and goats which they have bought previously have a choice:

• they can record on their movement document all PICs printed on the NLIS tags attached to animals in the consignment or recorded on the movement document which came with them; OR
• they can identify each animal with an NLIS pink Post-breeder tag.

The trail of movement documentation then satisfies traceability requirements of these animals.

NLIS Sheep/Goat tags using your property's PIC cannot be used to identify stock on a property with a different PIC.

What movement documents can I use?

Movement documents can be a National Vendor Declaration, a Transported Stock Statement, or a Post Sale summary. The document must have the following information recorded:

• the PIC(s) on the tag(s) attached to the sheep or goat(s);
• the number and type of stock;
• the PIC of the property where the stock was last held;
• the PIC or address of the property, saleyard or abattoir to which the stock are being sent;
• the date that the movement started.

A Sheep or Goat Health Statement is not an approved movement document for NLIS purposes; however, it is required for some movements to comply with OJD legislation.

Producers can use earlier NVD editions, although such forms may not be acceptable to some buyers. Sheep NVD books are available at no cost as they are funded by Sheepmeat levies. Goat NVD books are $33 GST inclusive.

Sheep and goat producers who have a valid PIC can obtain Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) NVDs by phoning the LPA helpline on 1800 683 111 during offce hours.

What ear tags are needed for NLIS Sheep & Goats?

NLIS Sheep & Goat Breeder tags must be used to identify sheep and goats before they leave their property of birth.

NLIS Sheep & Goat post-breeder tags are pink and can be used to identify sheep and goats no longer on their property of birth or those which have lost their Breeder tag.

All NLIS Sheep & Goats tags can be attached to either the right or left ear as long as the tags don't obscure the earmark.

What about the year of birth colour system for ear tags?

It is strongly recommended that you consider using the national 'year of birth' colour system for Breeder tags. The colours for NLIS tags for lambs born in a particular year are listed below. Year of birth colour tagging is not mandatory under the national scheme.

How will mob-based uploads to the NLIS database work?

From 1 July 2010 all mob-based movements of sheep and goats between properties will need to be uploaded to the NLIS database. This will entail uploading of the information contained on the movement document to the NLIS database by the person receiving the sheep or goats at that property. This must be done within 7 days of the sheep or goats' arrival.

A mob can be as few as one animal.

Mob-based uploads to the NLIS database for sheep and goats have been occurring through saleyards since 1 September 2009. The mob-based upload is done by the owner or person in charge of the saleyard and usually within a day after the sale, depending on whether the sheep and goats are sold for slaughter, are sold to another PIC or are unsold and return to their original property.

Mob-based uploads to the NLIS database from abattoirs, feedlots, goat depots and export depots have occurred from 1 January 2010.

Remember: with sheep and goats you do not have to scan individual animals. All you need to know is the PIC the animals are from, the PIC you are moving the animals to, the date, the number of head and the NVD number.

Are there exemptions from tagging?

All sheep need to be tagged from 1 January 2009. This includes sheep and farmed goats consigned direct to slaughter.

Feral goats do not need to be tagged under NLIS Sheep & Goats if they move direct to slaughter or via a depot to slaughter. This exemption does not apply to goats sold at a saleyard, or feral animals going to another property from the goat depot.

Dairy goats and earless goats are not required to be tagged.

Some animals may be approved to move without tags in specified circumstances, including unweaned/unmarked lambs and from properties without suitable facilities for the purposes of tagging.

How do I order tags?

Order tags from your preferred tag supplier, tag manufacturer or Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA).

• Your order for tags will be verified by your LHPA.
• A list of manufacturers is available from your LHPA or from the detailed questions & answers page.
• Tags must be printed with the PIC of the property on which they are used. You can put other information on the other side of NLIS tags. From 1 January 2009 all sheep and goat tags must meet national NLIS standards. 

Can I use electronic devices?

You can use electronic tags for NLIS Sheep & Goats: they must have your PIC printed on them; they must not be NLIS Cattle tags.

Where can I get more information? 

• Contact your district I&I NSW Livestock Officer
• Talk to your Livestock Health and Pest Authority
• Industry & Investment NSW primary industries website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au   
• NLIS website: www.nlis.mla.com.au
• Sheep and goats
• Cattle
• Property identification codes (PICs)
• Policy and legislation