The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS Cattle)
provides a permanent, whole of life identification system that enables
individual animals to be tracked from property of birth to slaughter for
food safety, product integrity and market access purposes.
Cattle
within the system are uniquely identified with a NLIS-approved device,
either an ear tag or rumen bolus/ear tag combination. Each device
contains a microchip that allows it to be read electronically by
scanners installed at saleyards, abattoirs and farms.
Once cattle
are read, the data containing details of the property of origin and new
property of residence is transferred to the NLIS database over the
Internet, creating a traceable record of where animals have been.
Current Requirements
- All cattle leaving a property must be NLIS identified.*
- All
cattle movements are to be recorded on the NLIS database. This means
that property to property movements will have to be recorded on the NLIS
Database. This is the responsibility of the receiver of the cattle.
Saleyards and abattoirs transfer cattle they receive. See Transferring Cattle.
* Bobby calves consigned for slaughter are exempt from the System and can continue to use the bobby calf ear tags.
NLIS
is underpinned by State legislation. Failure to use NLIS devices
correctly can result in penalties of up to $15,700 for an individual and
$31,400 for a company. Please read the Conditions of Use for Permanent Identification Devices for Cattle.
For further information see the national NLIS website.
Unsafe Cattle
Producers who are unable to tag their cattle in a safe manner, must obtain a permit prior to dispatching cattle without NLIS identification. Please use the permit application below:
Application and Permit to Dispatch Cattle without NLIS Tags (PDF 370Kb)
Further Information
NLIS Helpdesk
National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Ltd
Locked Bag 991
NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059
Phone: 1800 654 743
Email: support@nlis.com.au
URL: www.nlis.com.au