Property Identification Codes

From 1 September 2012, anyone who keeps or owns livestock in NSW is required to ensure the land on which the livestock are kept has a Property Identification Code or PIC. 'Livestock' includes one or more cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deer, bison, buffalo, camelids, equines (i.e., horses and donkeys), 100 or more poultry birds or 10 or more emus or ostriches.

A PIC is a unique identifier for land.  PICs are assigned to individual properties and are allocated by Local Land Services.

Background

In NSW a PIC is assigned by Local Land Services for the purpose of identifying land used for agricultural purposes. Local Land Services maintain PIC registers which keep PIC information, such as property name or address and PIC manager details, up to date. PICs are usually renewed every three years and landholders, or the person using the land to run their livestock, such as a lessee or person with stock on agistment, pay a fee to renew the PIC, unless the fee is included in the annual LLS rates for that property.

Each property has its own PIC. However, one PIC may be used to amalgamate more than one property or holding, provided the properties are worked as a single property and are proximate. The PIC assigned to the amalgamated properties should be the PIC of the major land holding, The PIC(s) for the other holding(s) is made inactive.

PICs are fundamental to the operation and integrity of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs because movements on the NLIS database are recorded between PICs. PICs provide traceability to specific properties.

Every livestock producer should have a PIC because:

• a PIC is printed on approved livestock identifiers (NLIS tags and devices)
• the NLIS database records 'To' and 'From' PICs for every individual cattle movement and every mob-based movement for sheep and goats
• a 'From' PIC is recorded on stock movement documents such as National Vendor Declarations (NVD) and Transported Stock Statements (TSS)
• a PIC is required for industry quality assurance programs, e.g. Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) and Australian Pork Industry Quality (APIQ) programs
• an NVD or PigPass NVD is required for each consignment of  stock for sale or slaughter. Owners of small farms that have not previously been assigned a PIC are encouraged to obtain a PIC for their property from their Local Land Services office. Ring 1300 795 299 to locate the Local Land Services office

Obtaining a PIC

You can obtain a PIC by contacting your district Local Land Services.

PIC procedures

For PIC procedures please see under Property Identification Codes.