A guide to regulations when transporting and selling livestock in Queensland
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This page lists the regulatory requirements when transporting livestock within Queensland. Should you require further information on any of these topics, please contact your local stock inspector or contact the Call Centre on 13 25 23.
National Livestock Indentification System (NLIS)
NLIS is a mechanism to track cattle movements (both beef and dairy) from property of birth to eventual live export or slaughter. The System involves enhancements to the transaction tag system through the use of permanent NLIS-approved identification devices (i.e. ear tags or boluses) that stay with the animal until death.
Data on movements of individual cattle between locations with different Property Identification Codes (PICs) is reported to and recorded in the NLIS database. These reports of transfers must be done within 48 hours of the completed movement to keep the NLIS database current, which is critical in emergency animal disease responses. To provide documentary information on animal movements, a waybill(NVD/waybill) is required under legislation to be held at origin and destination. See the NLIS web page for more information.
Waybills
The Stock Act 1915 requires travelling alpaca, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, goats, guanacos, horses, llamas, sheep and vicunas to be accompanied by a waybill or an equivalent document. During 2007 pigs will also be included. Waybills are completed by the actual owner or authorised agent of the owner or the occupier of the holding of the origin of the stock.
Waybills describe the livestock being travelled. They are available in duplicate form, the original should be retained at the destination for five years while the duplicate remains at the property of origin for a period of five years. Penalties can be imposed under the Stock Act 1915 for incorrect use of waybills.
The waybill provides the minimal compulsory movement document that must accompany travelling stock, but for commercial reasons and to meet domestic and export food safety requirements, combined National Vendor Declaration (NVD)/Waybills are generally used when stock are moved to saleyards or to slaughter (see below).
Contact a DPI&F stock inspector for more information.
Books of 10 or 50 Waybills can be purchased from DPI&F offices .
National Vendor Declaration (NVD)
NVDs were developed by the livestock industries to assist producers to document the history of chemical use and treatment of animals offered for sale. The details provided assist processors and buyers seeking information on the history of sale stock.
NVDs are an industry marketing initiative for both cattle, sheep, goats and pigs (also known as the PigPass). NVDs do not have statutory basis (except where combined with a waybill - see below) and are not compulsory when selling livestock; however answers given on NVDs must be accurate. It is an offence to make a false or misleading declaration.
NVD/waybills are produced in books of triplicate forms and are available from Meat and Livestock Australia under the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program. Livestock owners registered under LPA should note that specific requirements may exist in relation to the use of NVD/waybills in order to maintain a full declaration history for the livestock.
Beef producers who wish to sell cattle into the European Union market will need to complete the European Union Vendor Declaration (EUVD). The EUVD is required for cattle from European Union Cattle Accreditation Scheme (EUCAS) when moving to EU accredited saleyards and abattoirs. For more information see Producing cattle for European markets .
Note: People completing NVDs are legally obliged to ensure that any information made about their stock is completely accurate. Penalties exist if false or misleading information is given on the declaration.
Combined NVD/Waybill
Combined NVD/Waybills are available for cattle, bobby calves, sheep and goats from Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). The combined NVD/Waybill has legal recognition in that it meets the legal requirements for a waybill. A special combined EUVD /Waybill is also available. The combined NVD/waybill may be obtained by contacting MLA on 1800 683 111 or www.mla.com.au/lpa . Note - registration under the Livestock Production Assurance program may also be necessary.
The PigPass is only available from Australian Pork Limited, Australian Pork Limited, PO Box 148 Deakin West ACT 2600 Phone: 61 (0)2 6285-2200 | Fax: 61 (0)2 6285-2288 www.australianpork.com.au
Travel Permits
Travel or Stock Permits assist in disease control and animal traceback. Most livestock movements will only require a Waybill but the following movements require a Travel Permit as well:
- Livestock travelling from the Cattle Tick Infected Area of Queensland to the Cattle Tick Protected or Free Areas of Queensland.
- Where the property of origin is under quarantine for disease control or chemical residues.
- If stock are diseased or suspected of being diseased (a 'suspect' permit is required - for example cancerous eye, lumpy jaw, EBL etc).
- Livestock travelling to the RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane.
- Livestock travelling to interstate destinations.
- Livestock travelling to export quarantine facilities.
Travel Permits are available from DPI&F offices.
Tagging with registered tail tags
Registered tail tags are only applied to cattle in some specific situations to assist with identification of cattle at saleyards. Tail tags bear the Property Identification Code number.
When to use tail tags
The only persons now required to use tail tags when selling cattle are those with cattle on what are known as "T" status properties or for cattle under the EUCAS. Cattle from these properties when consigned to saleyards must be identified with both NLIS permanent tags and tail tags.
Tail tags may also be used voluntarily by owners to provide additional identification in relation to HGP Free status (pink tail tags with the words HGP Free), or for Ausmeat accredited feedlots (purple tags).
Please contact your local Stock Office for further information.
Types of tail tags
White tags with black lettering may be used by "T" status property owners.
Pink HGP Free tags may be used to indicate that the person responsible for the husbandry of the cattle is declaring that Hormonal Growth Promotants (HGPs) have never been used on the cattle to which these tags are applied. A declaration to this effect must be signed when ordering "HGP Free" tags. Pink tags may be used by owners of "T" status properties if they are declaring the cattle to be HGP Free. The vendor declaration statement is usually considered sufficient for HGP Free status and a pink tail tag is no longer considered essential by meat works buyers.
Should there be any doubt about purchased animals being previously treated with HGPs, the animals must not be identified with pink HGP Free tags.
Purple tags may be used on cattle from Aus-Meat accredited feedlots.
Lime Green tags (with an E in a circle) indicate that the cattle are eligible for the European Union (EU) market because they have never been treated with HGP and carry an Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) approved under the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS). The property is also EU accredited.
Blue or Saleyard tail tags may be applied at saleyards to cattle which have non-functional NLIS tags to allow them to be identified after sale by the purchaser. Most saleyards replace such tags at the time of sale with a saleyard post breeder tag.
Brands and earmarks
All cattle of 100 kg or more liveweight and all pigs of 30 kg or more liveweight must bear a registered brand before being sold.
For more information about registering and use of brands and earmarks see Branding and earmarking livestock in Queensland or contact Brands section on 13 25 23.
Withholding periods (WHPs) and export slaughter intervals (ESIs)
A product's WHP is the length of time required to ensure that any chemical residue has fallen below the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) at product harvest. MRLs are the maximum chemical concentrations that are permitted in foodstuffs. WHPs are legally binding and are printed on chemical/drug labels.
WHPs and ESIs can differ. ESIs refer to voluntary export guidelines designed to ensure chemical residues fall below overseas MRLs as these can vary from country to country. Tables for ESIs and WHPs are found on the reverse side of the National Vendor Declaration form.
Livestock producers must ensure that any animals made available for slaughter comply with WHPs and ESIs
Return to Identifying, moving and selling livestock
Last updated 11 April 2007
