Raising the NLIS bar
The South East Livestock Health and Pest Authority is reminding producers of the importance of complying with the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS), following recent cases of non-compliance at local saleyards.
The NLIS program enhances Australia’s ability to maintain access to key export markets and may help to quickly contain a major food safety or disease incident.
Ian Lugton, South East LHPA senior district vet, says the rangers continue to find instances where cattle arrive at local saleyards without NLIS tags.
"Cattle without NLIS tags generally lose their lifetime traceability," said Dr Lugton.
"Prior to movement, cattle must have an NLIS tag fitted to the right ear – if they have been bred on the property these tags should be white breeder tags. If the cattle are not homebred and have lost their tags they should be replaced with orange post-breeder tags.
"It is illegal to allow untagged cattle off a holding, and it is also an offence to transport, sell and buy unidentified stock. If you send untagged stock with a carrier, you are also placing the truck driver, the agent and buyers at risk of committing further offences.
"Serious breaches, such as a high proportion untagged or second offences, may attract a fine of $550 or prosecution."
Dr Lugton said there are special circumstances where approval may be given for cattle to be moved without NLIS tags. This provision may be used if a farm does not have suitable or safe stock handling facilities for restraining cattle, or it is otherwise impractical to attach tags.
"Approved movements may allow the cattle to be taken to another property, a saleyard, abattoir, or to any other suitable set of stock yards for tagging," he said.
"Approvals will not be given where the person has run out of NLIS tags. If you must urgently move stock and you cannot source your own NLIS tags, the LHPA offices have special identifiers for this situation.
"To seek approval for moving cattle without NLIS tags, an application form needs to be completed, and approved and signed by the LHPA. These forms are available at the LHPA offices or from stock agents.
"It is the responsibility of the receiver of livestock to record movements on the NLIS database, within seven days of arrival, if this has not been done by an agent.
"The success of the system relies on everyone doing their bit."
Contact your local office of the South East LHPA for more information or assistance with NLIS matters.
Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378