Bungendore farmer and chairman of the NSW NLIS Sheep and Goats Advisory Committee, Howard Crozier, said the approach to NLIS for sheep and goats was sensible and clearly had producers in mind.

The next wave of livestock identification and traceability is here.

Autumn lambs across the State’s tablelands are being fitted with National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) tags, signalling a new era of animal ID and traceability for the NSW sheep and goat industries.

Chairman of the State’s NLIS Sheep and Goats Advisory Committee and Bungendore farmer, Howard Crozier, is encouraging the State’s sheep and goat producers to support the introduction of sheep NLIS from the outset.

"I know farmers hate bureaucracy and I hate it myself, but it’s simple to see how easily NLIS for sheep will work," Mr Crozier said.

"Its application on-farm is sensible and clearly has producers in mind.

"Many producers already tag lambs at marking, so for these operations NLIS for sheep and farmed goats will make little difference and cause no hassles.

"For others, all lambs born this year that aren’t sold directly to abattoirs must be fitted with a NLIS tag before leaving the property.

"The system uses visually readable ear tags printed with a Property Identification Code (PIC) and movement documents supplied by consigners.

"It is different from cattle NLIS because tags are not electronic and sheep and goat NLIS is based on flock identification, not ID on individual animals."

Mr Crozier said NLIS was the logical next step for NSW and its livestock industries, particularly with the benefit of watching from afar as overseas countries attempt to combat exotic diseases without such mechanisms.

"One thing is certain, that this will absolutely bolster the traceability of the NSW sheep and goat flocks," he said.

"And this will no doubt have a beneficial impact on our export industries and will obviously be favoured by our trading partners."

NSW NLIS sheep and goats requirements:

• Producers must have a Property Identification Code (PIC);
• All sheep and goats born on and after January 1, 2006, must be tagged with a NLIS breeder tag before being sent to a saleyard or another property;
• Sheep or goats moving to saleyard, abattoir or other property must be supported with a movement document (NVD, TSS, Health Statement or Post Sale Summary);
• NLIS tags are available from RLPBs, tag suppliers and manufacturers;
• Exceptions exist for stock sold directly to abattoir - NLIS tagging is not mandatory.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has a toll-free NLIS help line: 1300 720 405.

Contact www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/nlis for more information.