Sheep and goat producers in Western Australia are now required to record mob-based movements on the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database.

Department of Agriculture and Food Brands Registrar Farran Dixon said the new recording requirements were designed to accelerate the tracing of sheep and goats in the case of a disease outbreak or the detection of a residue in meat, milk or fibre.

“One or more sheep or goat constitutes a mob and a mob-based movement (MBM) must be recorded on the database within 48 hours of arrival of the sheep at their destination property,” Mr Dixon said.

“If owners buy sheep or goats through a saleyard, send them direct to an abattoir, feedlot, export depot, or exhibit them at a show, the recording will be done for them.

“For movement of sheep and goats between farms with different PICs, the owner or person responsible for the animals at the destination property is responsible for recording the MBM on the NLIS database. The actual entry to the database can be made by the buyer or seller or by organising a third party to complete it for them.”

Movements to agistment properties, regardless of who owns or leases those properties must also be recorded on the database.

Stock owners who have an NLIS database account for cattle can use it to record sheep and goat movements. Those who do not have an account need to create one by going to the NLIS database at www.nlis.mla.com.au and following the prompts.

The database entry is completed by filling in the online form that requires the PIC from where the animals came from and PIC they were moved to, date of movement, number of animals, brand on the LPA NVD/Waybill and serial number on the LPA NVD/Waybill.

Department staff will be providing training for Community Resource Centres staff to assist stock owners without computers. Paper submission forms are obtainable from MLA at a small cost.

For more information about mob-based movement recording, contact Kathy Saunders at the department on 9690 2000 or visit www.agric.wa.gov.au and search on ‘NLIS sheep’ or go to www.nlis.com.au and select NLIS Sheep & Goats.

^{Source: Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia}