All lambs consigned directly to slaughter are now required to have an NLIS ear tag before leaving the property of birth.

Since the introduction of the NLIS (sheep) there has been a tagging exemption on lambs moving directly from the property of birth to an abattoir ‘over the hooks’. This exemption ended on 1 January 2008.

The introduction of the “no tag, no buy” policy instigated by the processing industry saw the effective end to this exemption before 2008, an example of commercial drivers outpacing legislated requirements.

Producers who were using the exemption and negotiating with processors to send animals for slaughter without NLIS ear tags will now have to tag with an approved NLIS ear tag.

All sheep and lambs born after 1 January 2006 are required to have an NLIS ear tag with the Property Identification Code (PIC) of the property of birth printed on it.

Animals must be accompanied by a movement document usually a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) when sold through a saleyard to another producer or consigned directly for slaughter. 

Sheep producers are not yet legally required to identify sheep born before 1 January 2006 with an NLIS ear tag prior to sale.

However most processors now require all sheep being offered for sale, either through a saleyard or over the hooks, to be identified with an NLIS ear tag regardless of age.

If you have doubts about this please consult your stock agent or processor, to clarify their requirements for sheep identification before you send them.

If you have any questions regarding the end of this exemption or any NLIS related queries please contact the PIRSA NLIS Helpline on 1800 654 688.

AUTHOR: Jane McBride, Communications Officer, PIRSA
CONTACT: PIRSA NLIS Helpline, 1800 654 688