NLIS roll-out will begin 1 July: Macdonald

NSW Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Ian Macdonald today endorsed the recommendation of a key advisory committee to begin phasing in the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) across the State from 1 July this year.

"The NLIS Advisory Committee met in Sydney last week to review public submissions on the implementation of the NLIS in New South Wales," Mr Macdonald said.

"This included more than 50 written submissions, feedback from recent industry meetings, and numerous personal representations from producers and stakeholders.

"I particularly appreciate the constructive feedback of the NSW Farmers' Association and Nick Keatinge.

"This collective input formed the basis of the Committee's advice to me.

"I have decided to support the Committee's recommendation that 1 July 2004 marks the beginning of NLIS across the State.

"NLIS will be a crucial component of our ongoing efforts to protect the marketability, integrity and reputation of our $4 billion cattle and dairy industries.

"Having this system in place could save us millions of dollars in the event of an exotic disease outbreak, because we could respond more quickly and effectively.

"I realise that transitioning to NLIS will be a considerable task, and that's why I've accepted the Committee's recommendation for a phased roll-out."

Key milestones in the roll-out process include:

  • From 1 July 2004:
    • All calves born (except bobby calves consigned to slaughter) must be permanently identified with an NLIS device before leaving their property of birth.
    • All cattle sold through a saleyard or sent to an abattoir must still have a transaction tag, either tail or ear.
    • Voluntary recording of movements on the NLIS database will be encouraged
  • From 1 July 2005:
    • All cattle must be identified with an NLIS device before leaving the farm.
    • Saleyards, abattoirs and exporters will have to notify the NLIS database of all cattle movements.
    • Transaction tags will continue to be used on all stock sent to a saleyard or abattoir to ensure full traceability during the phase-in period.
  • From 1 January 2006:
    • Stockowners must report all property-to-property transfers of cattle and the theft of any unattached NLIS devices to the NLIS database.
    • Stock owners will not be required to advise the database when stock lose tags or of lost or stolen stock.

"In addition, I will be approving a number of minor but important recommended changes to the draft regulation that will underpin the implementation of NLIS," Mr Macdonald said.

"These changes relate to the way the system will operate and cover issues such as interstate transfer of livestock and NLIS implementation at saleyards."

Mr Macdonald said that NSW Agriculture will continue to work closely with the beef and dairy industries to help all sectors understand the timetable and responsibilities. Some specific activities will include:

  • A new Regulation based on the Committee's recommendations will be drafted for gazettal by 1 July 2004.
  • A comprehensive set of questions and answers and a timetable for the implementation of NLIS will soon be posted on the NSW Agriculture website.
  • NSW Agriculture will hold more than 20 field days across the State over the next three months to explain the roll-out and responsibilities for each industry sector.

The NSW Government has committed a $5.4 million grant to help implement the NLIS.

The State's NLIS Advisory Committee was established by Minister Macdonald to ensure broad industry involvement in the implementation of NLIS.

The committee is chaired by meat processor Mr Grant Edmonds and includes representatives of the cattle industry, saleyards, agents, feedlots, processors, transporters, NSW Farmers' Association, NSW Police, SafeFood NSW, NSW Agriculture, RLPBs and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

Media contact: Ann-Marie Wilcock on (02) 9228-3344 or 0428 531 511