Legislation has been introduced to underpin the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) in Tasmania. The NLIS is Australia's system for the identification and tracing of livestock. It is a permanent, whole of life identification system that enables individual animals to be tracked from property of birth to slaughter for food safety, product integrity and market access purposes.
The Australian Government has provided funding to assist the cattle industry implement the National Livestock Identification System. This funding complements the funding provided in recent years by the Tasmanian Government.
The Tasmania NLIS Advisory Committee has decided to allocate a large portion of the federal funding to assist producers who have either, already purchased or plan to purchase NLIS scanning equipment.
Beef producers and dairy farmers can apply for a grant, equivalent to 50% of the purchase price of NLIS scanning equipment up to a maximum of $500 + GST per PIC/producer. The NLIS equipment must have been purchased after 1 July 2004, and evidence of payment must be provided with the application or within 30 days of approval being granted.
To be eligible, producers must also have a database account, which can be set up through the website www.nlis.mla.com.au.
Producers with a minimum of 100 head of cattle resident on their property will receive precedence otherwise the grants will be processed and paid on a first come, first served basis. There is a limit to the total amount of money available so please do not delay your application.
Please note that it is illegal to make a false declaration. In instances where the declared number of cattle resident on the property can not be verified the application will be cancelled or the applicant will be required to refund the grant.
Once applications have been approved the applicant will be notified in writing and will then need to provide DPIW with a copy of their tax invoice for the purchase of the scanner (if not already provided) and an invoice made out to the Department of Primary Industries for the amount of the funding detailed in the letter of approval. This information must be provided to DPIW within 30 days of the approval of the grant otherwise the approval will no longer be valid.
DPIW has also recently distributed NLIS scanners across selected Service Tasmania stores. From May 21 anyone interested in using these scanners should go to their nearest store and find out how to hire one.
NLIS scanners can be used for:
- Uploading information on to the NLIS Database, eg: transferring stock between PICs.
- Stock management and herd recording, eg: individual weight gains.
Scanners are available in the following Service Tasmania Stores:
Campbell Town, Oatlands, New Norfolk, Huonville, Sorell, St Helens, Scottsdale, Flinders Island, King Island, Deloraine, Sheffield, Beaconsfield, George Town, Longford, Smithton and Burnie. DPIW offices in New Town, Launceston (Mt Pleasant Lab) and Devonport also have scanners available for hiring.
To apply for the subsidy or for more information please contact John Cameron on 1300 368 550 or email: John.Cameron@dpiw.tas.gov.au.