Local authorities operating pounds and the NLIS

Local authorities operating pounds are identified under the Biosecurity Act 2014 as a registrable biosecurity entity and must comply with NLIS requirements.

Registrable biosecurity entities must register with Biosecurity Queensland to be allocated a property identification code (PIC) for livestock traceability purposes. Pounds or other areas where impounded livestock are held must have a separate PIC to other land where livestock are kept.

NLIS tagging requirements

All cattle, sheep, goats and pigs must be identified with an approved NLIS device.

Any of these impounded animals without a device must be fitted with an approved orange NLIS post-breeder device bearing the PIC of the pound facility.

There are NLIS tag exemption for certain types of animal movements:

• Registered stud dairy goats do not require a NLIS device if they bear an approved tattoo.
• Pigs do not require an NLIS device if they bear an approved slap-brand. Any pig over 30kg must be slap-branded.

Movement records

All animal movements must be accompanied by a movement record to and from the pound facility. A copy of the movement record must be kept by the pound for 5 years.

Reporting to the NLIS database

It is the local authorities operating pound's responsibility to report all movements of cattle, sheep and goats to the NLIS database within 48 hours of the stock arriving at the pound facility.

To report to the NLIS database local authorities must register for a 'pound' NLIS account. To register for a 'pound' account visit the NLIS website. If you require further assistance contact the NLIS helpdesk on 1800 654 743.

MLA tech tips (PDF, 4.5MB) are available on the NLIS database to assist event committees with the NLIS reporting requirements.

On arrival all animals must be transferred on the NLIS database from the property where they were found to the pound PIC (including post-breeder tags applied at the pound). This will generate an error stating that the device is already registered to the PIC (if a post-breeder tag applied at the pound).

Any animals that are found on the roadside will be transferred from the town/stock route PIC to the pound PIC.

Once the animal owner is located and the animal leaves the pound, the receiver must transfer them on the NLIS database to the place where the animal is returning.

Reporting cattle movements

Property to pound

The following information must be reported when reporting to the database:

• NLIS or RFID device number for each animal
• serial number of the movement record
• PIC of the place of origin
• PIC of the pound
• date of arrival.

Reporting sheep and goat movements

Property to pound

The following information must be reported when completing a 'mob based movement':

• species
• date of arrival
• PIC where the animal was located
• PIC of the pound
• number of animals
• serial number of the movement record
• the PIC of any place, other than the place of origin, as shown on the animal's approved device
• if the animals have been vendor-bred, or not.

Also consider...

• Watch a short video on the National Livestock Identification System.