A NSW Government website

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Processors


Current NLIS requirements for abattoirs and knackeries

  • Processors must scan all eID devices and upload eID data to the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database by COB the next working day after slaughter for abattoirs, or seven days after slaughter for knackeries.
  • Processors must carry NLIS emergency eID devices for the processor PIC to apply to any unidentified stock.
  • Processors must report any eID identified animals to the NLIS database as deceased if they died not as a result of processing.

What NLIS uploads do you need to do?


Key tasks

Current requirements

  1. Scan and upload the prescribed information to the NLIS database for individual sheep and goats fitted with eID devices.

From 30 June 2024, until 1 January 2027, sheep and goats with eID devices and those with visual tags will have different NLIS requirements. During this period, there will be two types of uploads to the NLIS database

  • Mob-Based uploads – from 30 June 2024 to 1 January 2027, all sheep and goats with visual tags and/or eIDs that are processed will continue to be uploaded as mob-based kills.
  • Individual uploads – in addition, from 30 June 2024 any sheep and goats with eIDs must be individually scanned, and the prescribed information uploaded to the NLIS database:
    • Date of slaughter
    • Processor PIC (or processor ID)
    • Chain number
    • Operator number
    • Body number
    • Consignment PIC (PIC of the property the stock were last held)
    • Identification particulars (RFID or NLIS ID number) for each body
    • NVD serial number
    • Species

Kill data must be uploaded to the NLIS database by COB the next working day after slaughter for abattoirs, or seven days after slaughter for knackeries. All records to be kept for two years.

Visual and eID emergency NLIS devices will be available to order for use on sheep or goats that arrive unidentified.

For stock that arrive unidentified:

  • If the stock were born from 1 January 2025, apply an NLIS emergency eID device.
  • If the stock were born before 1 January 2025 and did not come from Victoria, apply an NLIS emergency visual tag or eID device.
  • If the stock were consigned from Victoria, apply an NLIS emergency eID device.

From January 2027

  1. All sheep and goats at an abattoir or knackery for processing must have eID devices and kill data reported to the NLIS database as individual uploads. Mob-based uploads will no longer be accepted.

Visual NLIS emergency tags will no longer be available.

Support available

For support on any of these steps, contact us at sheepgoateid@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

NLIS sheep and goat guidelines for NSW abattoirs (and knackeries).

For more information on how to complete NLIS transfers, visit the Integrity Systems Company Website.

NLIS database user guide for processors.

Factsheet for Australian processors mandatory reading of eID tags in sheep and goat



FAQs


Why is eID being implemented? 

The NLIS (Sheep and Goats) mob-based system was fully implemented in mid-2010. The international markets we sell to now have higher traceability requirements, and the growing volume of international trade and travel has increased biosecurity risks to Australian livestock industries. Therefore, a more accurate and efficient traceability system for is required for sheep and goats.

The introduction of eID will:

  • Provide more accurate and timely traceability of animals
  • Reduce time delays to manage an emergency disease or residue incident
  • Reduce the number of animals and producers impacted (including animals destroyed) in response to an emergency disease
  • Reduce the time that Australia is restricted from export markets following an emergency disease or residue incident

What will processors need to do? 

At a minimum, all processing plants need to be equipped to read sheep and goat eID devices and be able to upload the individual eID devices to the NLIS database. NLIS uploads must be completed by close of business the next working day after slaughter for abattoirs, or seven days after slaughter for knackeries.

Recording of eID devices can be achieved by using fixed or hand-held eID readers in combination with processor software that is linked to the NLIS database, or by recording the printed NLIS ID number on the exterior of the device. Each processor will be unique in relation to the type and number of eID readers and the software they may require.

What do we do if sheep or goats are not tagged with eID after the required date? 

In NSW, all sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025 must be fitted with an eID device before leaving their property of birth. All sheep and goats of any age must be fitted with an eID device before leaving any property from 1 January 2027.

If stock arrive without an eID device at a processor, and are non-compliant with this timeline, the suggested actions are:

  • If there is a small number of stock in a consignment without eID devices, an emergency eID (with the processor PIC) can be fitted to each sheep or goat, and the vendor charged for the cost of the eID device.
  • If an entire consignment of stock is not identified with eID devices:
    • the stock cannot be processed and should be returned to the vendor under permit
    • the stock may be slaughtered without eID devices on the direction of a NSW DPIRD Compliance Officer, or government veterinarian, on welfare grounds. Each sheep or goat must be correctly linked to the PIC of origin as determined by the NVD.
    • the stock can be held until sufficient emergency eID devices can be obtained and attached

What do I do if I can’t reach 100% eID read rate? 

eID devices may not be read successfully if the:

  • eID is damaged
  • reader is experiencing interference
  • reader is damaged.

If the issue is with the device, you may have to manually record the visual NLIS ID number printed on the exterior of the eID device or apply an emergency eID device to the animal. If the issue is with your reader or other equipment, contact your equipment manufacturer.

Will harvested rangeland goats have to be fitted with eIDs? 

Harvested rangeland goats (HRG) will not have to be identified with an eID device if they are captured from the wild, meet the definition of an HRG and are moved directly to a processor, or via one registered depot.

From 1 January 2025 HRGs must be transported with a HRG specific National Vendor Declaration (NVD). This is available only to accredited HRG producers. Any goats consigned without the specific HRG NVD will require an eID device to be attached and they cannot be consigned as an HRG.

If any HRGs spend longer than 10 days at a goat depot or are moved from a goat depot to another PIC that is not a processor, an eID device will need to be attached to each HRG.

All goats and all sheep must be fitted with eID devices when they are sold directly to a processor.



Upcoming events

To find out where our team will be delivering information about sheep and goat eID, visit the LLS Upcoming Events page or sign up for our newsletter.

Contact us

If you have any questions you can contact us at sheepgoateid@dpird.nsw.gov.au.