NLIS Sheep and Goats in NSW: basic information
NLIS Sheep & Goats is Australia's system for identifying and tracing sheep, lambs and goats.
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. It is supported by movement documents supplied by consignors that are used for tracking.
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 born on or after 1 January 2006 with an NLIS Breeder tag for sheep and goats before they are sent to a saleyard or to another property.
- Use an appropriate movement document (NVD, TSS, Health Statement or Post Sale Summary) 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.
- 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.
Emergency tags will be available through the Livestock Health and Pest Authority.
Once an NLIS Sheep/Goat tag is attached, it must not be removed until the animal is processed in an abattoir or knackery.
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 reselling sheep and goats that they have bought 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 Post-breeder tag.
NLIS Sheep/Goat tags cannot be used to identify stock on a property with a different PIC.
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 and Goats if they move direct to slaughter or via a depot. This exemption does not apply to goats sold at a saleyard.
Dairy goats and earless goats are not required to be tagged.
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 and 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.
What movement documents can I use?
Movement documents can be a National Vendor Declaration, a Transported Stock Statement, a Health 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.
Producers can use earlier NVD editions, although such forms may not be acceptable to some buyers.
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. 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 colour tagging is optional under the national scheme.
| SHEEP BREEDER TAGS | |
|---|---|
| Year | Colour |
| 2005 | YELLOW |
| 2006 | RED |
| 2007 | SKY BLUE |
| 2008 | BLACK |
| 2009 | WHITE |
| 2010 | ORANGE |
| 2011 | LIGHT GREEN |
| 2012 | PURPLE |
| SHEEP POST-BREEDER TAGS | |
| Year | Colour |
| All | PINK |