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Confusion Over Sheep And Goat Tagging Requirements

Differences in commercial and legal tagging requirements have caused widespread confusion among Victoria’s sheep and goat producers, according to the Department of Primary Industries

By Department of Primary Industries - 13th July 2007 - Back to News

DPI’s National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Sheep Officer, Leanne Mulraney, said over recent weeks the Department has received numerous calls from producers concerned they would be unable to sell untagged sheep.

Ms Mulraney said under current Victorian legislation and national NLIS (Sheep & Goats) rules, only sheep and farmed goats born after 1 January 2006 that are consigned to a saleyard, abattoir (other than on an ‘over the hooks’ basis) or another property need an approved NLIS (Sheep) Tag.

However, the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) has been promoting a "no tag no buy" policy for all sheep sales from 1 July 2007, she said.

"Some processors have recently introduced a commercial requirement that all sheep and goats, including those born before 1 January 2006 and those sold on an ‘over the hooks’ basis, must be identified with an NLIS (Sheep) Tag," Ms Mulraney said.

"This is quite different from the legislative requirements, which are consistent with national NLIS (Sheep & Goats) rules, and have remained unchanged since they were introduced in January 2006.

"Depending on the markets, producers might find there is a commercial advantage associated with tagging older sheep. Processors may require that sheep sold ‘over the hook’ be tagged as a condition of the contract. If in doubt, producers should consult their local agent or processor," she said.

Ms Mulraney said DPI recognised that implementing an identification and tracking system for sheep and goats was essential to protect and enhance Victoria’s reputations as a supplier of clean wholesome meat and dairy products.

"The NLIS (Sheep & Goats) is used for identification and tracing of sheep and farmed goats for food safety, disease control and market access purposes.

"Sheep and goats born after the 1 January 2006 consigned to a saleyard or another property need to be tagged with a visually readable tag printed with the consignor’s Property Identification Code (PIC), approved for use as part of the NLIS (Sheep & Goats) system," she said.

Ms Mulraney said under current Victorian legislation, sheep and goat producers were required to:

• ensure that their properties have a Property Identification Code (PIC).
• provide a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) when dispatching sheep or farmed goats of any age to a saleyard or abattoir, or to another property with a different PIC.

She said producers had two options when they wish to sell NLIS identified sheep and goats that have been purchased:

• record on their NVD all PICs printed on the NLIS (Sheep) tags attached by the previous owner/breeder, or
• attach a pink NLIS (Sheep) Post-breeder tag (with the consignor’s PIC printed on it) to each animal.

"The first option is best if producers have only purchased sheep from one or two different vendors," Ms Mulraney said.

"However if producers have purchased sheep from several sources, then the second option may be more practical.

"The NLIS (Sheep & Goats) and the associated rules have been developed by a national committee including representatives of all industry sectors," she said.

To obtain NLIS (Sheep) Tags, contact your local rural merchandise outlet. NLIS (Sheep) Tags cannot be ordered from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

Further information is available from your local DPI office, the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or the DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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