Transported Stock Statement (TSS) - questions and answers

Background

The Transported Stock Statement (TSS) system was introduced in 1990 partly to assist the Police Service to trace stolen stock. As a result of an increase in the incidence of stock theft, the need has now arisen to heighten community awareness of the TSS scheme.

The TSS scheme is provided for in Part 10A of the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998.

Frequently asked questions about TSSs

Q. When do I have to use a TSS?

A.  You must use a TSS whenever cattle, sheep, goats or horses are to be transported by a vehicle, whether it be by road, rail, water or air.

Q. Where do I get a TSS?

A.  Your local Rural Lands Protection Board office stocks supplies of TSSs.

Q. Are there any circumstances where I don’t have to use a TSS?

A.  A TSS is not required in the following circumstances:

1. when stock are transported into New South Wales from another state or from the Australian Capital Territory, and transported within New South Wales for up to 30 kilometres before returning to that other state or territory as part of an unbroken journey;
2. when stock are transported across or along a road from one part of a holding to another part that would be contiguous with the first-mentioned part but for being separated by the road;
3. when stock are transported to or from a place for treatment by a veterinary surgeon;
4. when horses are being transported to or from any agricultural show, exhibition, gymkhana, pony club meeting or similar function;
5. when racehorses, harness racing horses or working horses are being transported from one place to another;
6. when stock are transported in any other circumstances prescribed by the regulations;
7. when stock are transported under the provisions of a stock permit issued under Section 101 of the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998, or an order or permit issued under the Stock Diseases Act 1923.

Q. How much does a TSS cost?

A.  Rural Lands Protection Boards may charge a fee for TSSs. These fees may vary throughout the state, so contact your nearest Rural Lands Protection Board for further information on fees charged.

Q. Who is allowed to complete a TSS?

A.  The TSS is in two parts. Part 1 of a TSS should be completed by the owner of the stock. The ‘owner of the stock’ includes:

1. an employee of the owner of the stock;
2. a person other than the owner of the stock who is responsible for the stock (for example, a carrier);
3. an employee of a person referred to in paragraph b.

Part 2 must be completed by the driver of the vehicle.

Q. How many copies of the TSS are needed?

A.  If the person who fills out Part 1 of the TSS is not the carrier of the stock, then two copies of the form are needed. The original must be given to the carrier. If the carrier completes Part 1 of the form, then only the original is required.

Q. When must the different parts of the TSS be completed?

A.  Part 1 of the TSS should be completed prior to the commencement of the journey. The carrier must complete Part 2 of the form immediately after the journey is completed.

Q. How long must I keep completed copies of TSSs?

A.  Two years.

Q. Who enforces TSSs?

A.  TSSs are enforced predominantly by police officers, but they can also be enforced by officers who have been authorised to exercise functions conferred on them under Part 10A of the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998. If you are ever in doubt about the authenticity of an authorised officer, ask to see their certificate of authority.

Q. What powers do authorised officers have?

A.  Providing that an authorised officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a vehicle is being used to transport stock, they may stop and search the vehicle. Subject to certain conditions set out in the Act, an authorised officer may also give reasonable directions to any person in or on the vehicle, or in the vicinity of a vehicle which they believe is being used to transport stock. Further details regarding the powers of authorised officers in respect of TSSs can be found at sections 140F and 140G of the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998.

Q. What happens if I don’t use TSSs in accordance with the Act?

A.  You may face prosecution and a penalty of up to $5500.

Q. As a stock owner or an agent how do I know if a stock transporter’s consignment note is approved as a TSS?

A.  When you look at the consignment note you will see a TSS logo printed in the top left-hand corner of the document. Only those consignment notes approved by the Stock Transportation Accreditation Committee carry this logo.

Q. As a stock transporter how can I get my consignment note approved as a TSS?

A.  A stock transporter can apply to the Stock Transportation Accreditation Committee for approval of their consignment note as a TSS. In order for such approval to be granted, the consignment note must contain certain information. The Committee can approve consignment notes subject to them being compiled or identified in a particular manner (see sections 140B and 140J of the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998).

Questions and answers on the use of National Vendor Declaration forms as a TSS

Q. What National Vendor Declaration forms can be used as a TSS

A.  The following National Vendor Declaration (NVD) forms can be used as a Transported Stock Statement (TSS) in NSW:

• National Vendor Declaration (Sheep and Lambs) and Waybill (First Edition March 2004)
• National Vendor Declaration (Sheep and Lambs) and Waybill (First Edition November 2005)
• National Vendor Declaration (Cattle) and Waybill (First Edition November 2005)
• European Union Vendor Declaration (Cattle) and Waybill (First Edition November 2005)
• National Vendor Declaration (Goats) and Waybill (First Edition November 2005)
• National Vendor Declaration (Cattle) and Waybill (First Edition March 2004) 

Q. Can I use a TSS as an NVD?

A.  No. The NVD requires additional information relating to the livestock.

Q. Will this new system add costs?

A.  No. This new system reduces the cost by taking away the requirement for a TSS form if using an approved NVD form.

Q. Can I still use the printed TSS forms?

A.  Yes.

Q. Where do I get an NVD form?

A.  You can get NVD forms from your local stock agent or by calling 1800 683 111.

Questions and answers on the use of the NSW Animal Health Statement for sheep as a TSS

Q. Can I use a NSW Animal Health Statement for sheep as a TSS?

A.  Yes. The NSW Animal Health Statement is an approved TSS in NSW.

Q. Can I use a TSS as an Animal Health Statement?

A.  No. The NSW Animal Health Statement requires additional information relating to livestock.

Q. Will this new system add costs?

A.  No. This new system reduces the cost by taking away the requirement for a TSS form if using a NSW Animal Health Statement.

Questions and answers on the mutual recognition of NSW and ACT forms for transported stock

Q. What does this arrangement mean for NSW and ACT producers, agents and carriers?

A.  NSW producers, agents and carriers who have a TSS can move stock from NSW into the ACT without having to additionally complete and carry an ACT Permit to Travel Stock. ACT producers, agents and carriers who have a Permit to Travel Stock can move stock from the ACT into NSW without having to additionally complete and carry a new TSS.

Q. Are consignment notes accepted as a stock transport document in the ACT?

A.  Consignment notes that are approved as a TSS by the Stock Transportation Accreditation Committee and carry the TSS logo are accepted as a valid stock transport document in the ACT.

Q. Are National Vendor Declaration (NVD) forms accepted as a stock transport document in the ACT?

A.  Yes, the NVD forms approved in NSW as a TSS are accepted as valid stock transport documents in the ACT. These include:

• National Vendor Declaration (Sheep and Lambs) and Waybill (First Edition March 2004)
• National Vendor Declaration (Sheep and Lambs) and Waybill (First Edition November 2005)
• National Vendor Declaration (Cattle) and Waybill (First Edition March 2004)
• National Vendor Declaration (Cattle) and Waybill (First Edition November 2005)
• European Union Vendor Declaration (Cattle) and Waybill (First Edtion November 2005)
• National Vendor Declaration (Goats) and Waybill (First Edition November 2005)

Q. Is the NSW Animal Health Statement form accepted as a stock transport document in the ACT?

A.  Yes, the NSW Animal Health Statement form is approved in NSW as a TSS and so is accepted as a valid stock transport document in the ACT.

Livestock Transporters Association contact

If you need assistance with, or more information about, the application process for approval of a consignment note as a TSS, contact the Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association of NSW on (02) 6230 6290.

Police contacts and Crimestoppers

For further information or clarification, contact your local Rural Crime Investigator, or Detective Senior Constable Michael Burns on (02) 6923 1817.

For stolen stock matters, please contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.