Recording property to property cattle movements

Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) across the state are working with cattle owners to ensure that all property to property stock movements are recorded as part of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).

With the full implementation of one of the world’s best identification and tracing systems for cattle achieved late last year, RLPBs are now taking on an educational role to improve compliance with recording property to property movements.

The State Council of Rural Lands Protection Boards Animal Health Manager, Stephen Ottaway, said the movement of cattle between properties, irrespective of whether cattle are sold, must be recorded on the NLIS database.

"This includes movements to properties with a different Property Identification Code (PIC) even if they are owned by the same person, group or company, to agistment, shows and field days.

"Information must be provided to the NLIS database within 7 days either through an online NLIS account or submitting paperwork to Meat and Livestock Australia.

"The particulars of stock identification, the PIC of the property where the stock was last held, the PIC of the property where the stock was sent and the date of arrival must all be included," Stephen Ottaway said.

"Throughout 2008 RLPBs will be helping cattle producers provide this information for the database by running an education program to equip them with the knowledge and skills required.

"Who is responsible for notification and how is the information uploaded to the NLIS database?  These are common questions asked that we can help with.

"We appreciate that using computers and the internet can be a daunting task for some farmers. That is why Boards will be providing advice and also looking at alternatives available within the district," he said.

NLIS is Australia’s system to permanently identify and track livestock from property of birth to slaughter to safeguard market access and maintain a competitive advantage.

Since its inception five years ago 56,000 cattle producers have applied for more than 9 million electronic ear tags known as NLIS devices.

"We export more than 70% of our total beef production and NLIS underpins Australia’s reputation as a quality producer. That is why recording property to property movements is incredibly important to maintain lifetime traceability of individual animals," Stephen Ottaway added.

"NLIS has also increased our capacity to trace cattle affected by exotic diseases and chemical residues. It will help to reduce the financial and social impact of a disease epidemic because of how easily and quickly accurate information on movements can be tracked."

Cattle owners with any enquiries about NLIS and property to property movements can contact their local Rural Lands Protection Board.