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AQIS spells out sheep export rules
7 Jun 2004
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service has moved to clarify its new identification requirements for live sheep export rules. The new guidelines were issued to dispel confusion over whether producers need to tag sheep bound for export or whether wool brands and other marks are sufficient.
AQIS said recently the minimum acceptable requirements were property identification code (PIC) tag, name tag or an NLIS sheep tag. In all cases, sheep had to have a national vendor declaration (NVD) or an equivalent.
AQIS now says other methods of identification, such as wool brands and the WA registered brand, remain acceptable as long as the property of origin can be accurately identified. But generic marks are unacceptable; these include blue dots on shoulders and brands that would be shaved.
The Sheepmeat Council of Australia welcomed AQIS's clarification but said it's still concerned that wool brands and property tags can't provide the unique identification required for trace-back. The SCA believes NLIS for sheep, due to be implement from July 1, 2005, is the best system for meeting requirements.
Stock & Land, 3/6/04.
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