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Livestock identification and brands

Identification System and Brand Register

Western Australia has a comprehensive, mandatory livestock identification system for livestock. All livestock within Western Australia must be identified in accordance with the Stock (Identification and Movement) Act 1970 and all stock owners are required to register a livestock Brand and be issued with a Property Identification code (PIC).

Whether they are kept as pets or for commercial purposes, all ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, deer, bison, buffalo), equines (horses, ponies, mules, donkeys), camelids (alpaca, llama, vicuna), pigs (including mini or miniature pigs) and ostriches are considered livestock under the Acts and Regulations noted above.

National tagging requirements for the movement of cattle and sheep have been introduced with the implementation of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) in WA. NLIS is a permanent, whole of life identification system that enables individual animals to be tracked from property of birth to slaughter. NLIS identification and tracing requirements differ according to the species and type of movement involved.

The NLIS Cattle system was implemented on July 1, 2005. The NLIS electronic devices form the basis of a permanent whole of life identification system which enables individual animals to be tracked from property of birth to slaughter.

NLIS Sheep and Goats was implemented September 2006 and is a mob based identification system using visually readable ear tags combined with a paper record, usually an NVD Waybill.

There is also a livestock waybill (39KB pdf) system that requires a waybill or National Vendor Declaration (NVD waybill) form to accompany all movements of livestock (except horses) The form must be completed by the livestock owner before the stock are moved and copies retained as a record for three years, by sellers, transporters and receivers of moved stock.

For cattle or sheep a National Vendor Declaration (NVD waybill) is likely to be needed if the animals are being sold or killed. Details on registering for LPA (Livestock production assurance) and obtaining NVD's are available from Meat and Livestock Australia's webpage www.mla.com.au/lpa/ , you will need your Brand registration details such as Trading name, address and PIC.

These requirements provide an effective trace back system that facilitates rapid detection of risk animals in the case of a disease outbreak.

Select from the links below for more information on the requirements for stock identification and movement in Western Australia.

Identification and movement requirements

Control measures, requirements, procedures and protocols prescribed for the controlled and recorded movement of all livestock both within Western Australia and into the State from other States and Territories of Australia.

Livestock Identification Forms

Applications to register a new brand, re-register, transfer, cancel or update property or address details of existing brands, Transaction tailtag/ear tag approval to buy applications and Interstate movement applications/declarations.

The Western Australian Brand Register

All registered stock brands in Western Australia are recorded in the Western Australian Brand Register, which is published on the Department of Agriculture's Internet site. You can view details of all brands, earmarks, pig tattoos and Property Identification Codes (PIC) (also known as Tailtag number) that are registered for use in this state. Detailed instructions for searching the Register can be found in A Guide to Searching the Brand Register and to find available brands click on the Guide to Searching for available Brands.

Legislation

Specific acts for livestock movement and identification are as follows:

• Stock (Identification and Movement Act) 1970
• Enzootic Diseases Regulations 1970

Go to the State Law Publisher for more information and copies.

Page updated 22 February 2011