The Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 and Tasmanian Standards for the Identification of Livestock requires compulsory body tattooing of pigs over 25kg before being sent for sale or slaughter, and the registration of earmarks and body brands for livestock.
Registering
The Primary Produce Traceability (Program) compiles and maintains a register of:
To register or transfer ownership of an earmark, brand, or pig tattoo, an application form should be completed and forwarded to the PPT Program (contact details at the bottom of this page).
Application to Register Earmarks and Brands (PDF 138Kb)
Application to Register Earmarks and Brands (PDF 138Kb)
Pigs - Body Tattoo
Pigs over 25 kg can be identified with either a registered tattoo brand or an approved NLIS device before leaving a property. A pig body tattoo consists of one, two or three letters of the alphabet as allocated by the Secretary. The height of these letters must not be less than 20 mm or more than 35 mm.
Note that pigs 25 kg or under can only be identified with an approved NLIS device and must be tagged before leaving a property.
Failure to correctly identify pigs before they leave a property for sale or slaughter could result in a penalty of up to $1000.
Sheep and Cattle Earmarking (Optional)
This practice is optional but if earmarks are used, they must be registered with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and approved by the Secretary. Please note that earmarks are registered to a person (owner), and not to a property or property identification code (PIC).
Sheep and cattle must be earmarked before they reach 6 months of age with an earmark that is registered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and approved by the Secretary. The earmark must be applied to the near (or left) ear of male stock and the far (or right) ear of female stock.
It is possible to buy second-hand earmark applicators and have the right to use them and the ownership of the earmark transferred. Before buying, check with the Primary Produce Traceability Program to ensure that the earmark applicator can be legally transferred.
Sheep and Cattle Body Branding (Optional)
This practice is optional but if body brands are used they must be registered.
A registered body brand consists of one, two or three letters of the alphabet as approved and registered by the Secretary. These letters should not be less than 50 mm nor more than 110 mm in height and no part of the brand face should exceed 7 mm in width.
Body brands of other designs registered before 1 July 1986 continue to be registered, but may not be transferred to another person.
Horse Body Branding (Optional)
This practice is optional but body brands for horses may be registered.
A registered body brand consists of one, two or three letters of the alphabet as approved and registered by the Secretary. These letters should not be less than 50 mm nor more than 110 mm in height. No part of the brand face should exceed 7 mm in width.
Body brands of other designs cannot be registered under the current Tasmanian legislation.
Instruments for Earmarking and Tattooing
These instruments may be ordered from a rural merchandising store or pig marketing cooperative after the mark is registered.
Penalties
Failure to correctly body tattoo pigs before they leave a property for sale or slaughter could result in a penalty of up to $1000. Penalties of up to $500 apply for the inappropriate use of registered earmarks and body brands.