NLIS to be introduced for pigs
Australian state and territory governments are set to legislate the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for pigs in 2018.
From 1 February next year, in addition to identification of all pigs and use of transport documents, all movements onto a property must be recorded on a national database.
The NLIS is Australia’s system for the identification and tracing of livestock.
For the pig industry, the system operates through PigPass, which many pig producers will already be familiar with.
PigPass provides access to the PigPass National Vendor Declaration waybill (PigPass NVD) and is the reporting database for all pig movements onto farms, saleyards, showgrounds and abattoirs.
The PigPass database automatically transfers all recorded pig movements across to the NLIS database to be stored with the records of cattle, sheep and goat movements for rapid traceability.
Pig identification has primarily been a slap brand tattoo applied prior to leaving a property and issued by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development when you register as an owner of stock. The introduction of NLIS provides the option of an ear tag.
Some of the key points of NLIS pigs include:
- Pigs up to 25kg will have to be identified with an approved NLIS ear tag (currently, pigs under 10 weeks of age do not have to be identified when moved).
- From 1 February 2018 owners will have the choice of tattoo or tag for pigs over 25kg.
- Pigs leaving their property of birth need to be tagged with a yellow NLIS tag in their left ear, or tattooed on their left shoulder if using that option.
- Pigs leaving any other property must be tagged in their right ear with an orange NLIS tag, or tattooed on their right shoulder.
All owners of pigs, commercial or pet, one or one hundred, are required to be registered as an owner of stock.
They must also have a PIC for their property and complete a PigPass NVD or other transport document for all movements of pigs off a property.
This includes movements to other farms or properties where ownership or PIC changes, abattoirs, saleyards or showgrounds.
All pig movements must then be recorded in the PigPass database within 48 hours of the arrival at a new PIC.
The receiver of the pigs is responsible for making sure the database is updated.
Why is NLIS pigs important?
NLIS Pigs underpins the integrity of Australia’s pig meat products by enabling rapid animal identification and traceability in the case of a food safety issue or an exotic disease outbreak.
This helps support domestic and export consumer confidence in Australian pig meat and upholds Australia’s reputation as a producer of safe, quality pig meat products.
How do I participate in Pigs NLIS?
Once registered with a PIC with DPIRD, owners of pigs can register for PigPass to complete a free PigPass NVD online to print off, or order a PigPass book.
The PigPass portal has additional information on how to create and report a PigPass NVD.
DPIRD and Australian Pork Limited (APL) will be writing to all registered pig owners in WA in coming weeks to further explain the requirements of NLIS Pigs.
More information
For more information, visit the NLIS pigs page, contact the PigPass helpdesk on 1800 001 458 or email helpdesk@pigpass.com.au.
Forms to register as an owner of stock to get your PIC and pig tattoo can be found by searching for ‘Registration forms’ on the department’s website or by calling +61 (0)8 9780 6207.