Ahead of the NSW state election on 25 March 2023, the NSW Government caretaker period has commenced. Limited updates will be made to this website during this period.
NLIS Pigs
The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Pigs is Australia’s system for identifying and tracing pigs. It is a mob-based system that links pigs with the properties on which they have run.
The NLIS enhances Australia's ability to quickly contain a major food safety or disease incident. It is implemented by industry in partnership with governments across Australia.
Mob-based tracing system for pigs
Previously tracing of pigs was possible using the combination of swine brands, movement documents and the keeping of records. But from 1 February 2018 additional NLIS requirements were introduced in NSW and other states:
- All pig movements to and from saleyards, properties and to abattoirs are required to be recorded in a national database (the PigPass database) where data is immediately transferred to the NLIS database
- Pigs weighing less than 25 kg are now required to be identified with an NLIS ear tag
The following requirements still apply:
- Land on which pigs are kept must have a property identification code (PIC)
- Pigs weighing more than 25 kg must be branded with a swine brand (or an NLIS ear tag if no brand is available). The brand or ear tag must link to the PIC of the property from which the pigs moved.
- A PigPass National Vendor Declaration (NVD ) must accompany pigs whenever they move
Under the NSW Biosecurity (NLIS) Regulation 2017, all pigs (including pet pigs, pigs raised for personal use and very small pigs) moving off a property must be permanently identified with either a swine brand (pigs>25 kg) or NLIS accredited ear tag, identifying the PIC of the property the pigs have moved from. Pigs weighing less than 25kg live-weight must be ear-tagged and not branded. It is preferable that pigs greater than 25kg are branded, although ear tags are an option if a brand is not available.
8-Step guide
Procedures
- NLIS Policies, procedures and legislation – Compliance Procedure for Property Identification Codes, all published on NLIS Policy and Legislation webpage.
- Factsheet: New NLIS Pig requirements (PDF, 277.18 KB)
