NLIS Sheep & Goats
In 2004, the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) introduced a new system for tracing sheep and goats, the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS Sheep & Goats). The previous scheme was known as the National Flock Identification Scheme (NFIS).
NLIS (Sheep & Goats) commenced on 1 January 2006, with sheep born after that date required to be tagged before leaving the property of birth. From 1 January 2009, sheep and farmed goats must be identified with an approved NLIS tag prior to movement. Several states have separate arrangements for identification of dairy goats.
The sheep and goat requirements are designed to improve the speed and accuracy of traceback and traceforward of sheep and goats.
The effectiveness of the system is subject to ongoing monitoring by industry and government, with a review scheduled for 2009. The aim is to ensure the industry maintains and develops an effective traceability system, at the lowest cost to each industry sector.
NLIS uses visually-readable ear tags printed with your Property Identification Code (PIC) and the NLIS logo. The ear tag stays with the animal for life.
When these tags are used in conjunction with the Sheep/Goat National Vendor Declaration (NVD) form, the NLIS enables trace-back to property of birth and/or last property of residence.
NVD forms must be provided when dispatching sheep or goats of any age to a saleyard, abattoir or another property with a different PIC. NVD forms must be kept for seven years.
Breeder tags are applied on the property of birth before sheep or goats move to another property. Tags are colour-coded by year of birth, in a rotating eight-year cycle. This enables visual age identification of animals at a distance. It is strongly recommended that producers use the year of birth colour nominated in this schedule.
Post-breeder property tags are applied to sheep or goats no longer on their property of birth, or to introduced animals that have lost their original tag. The post-breeder property tags are pink.
Page updated: 29 September 2009