13.6 Moving livestock

When livestock are moved from one property to another in Australia, either when they are bought and sold or transported to or from agistment, an agricultural show or another property, a national database must be notified. The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s scheme for the identification and tracing of livestock. It aims to enhance Australia's ability to respond quickly to a major food safety or disease incident in order that access to key export markets is maintained.
All livestock must be individually identified with an NLIS-approved device (electronic eartag or rumen bolus for cattle, printed, coloured eartag for sheep and goats) before they leave their property of birth.