ALL NSW livestock owners need to obtain a Property Identification Code under changes effective this month.
PICs allow livestock and livestock products to be traced to the property they came from, in the event of disease outbreak or residue problems.
Previously, cattle, sheep, goat, and pig owners were required to have PICs if they were trading or moving their livestock.
Under the new rules, those owners will need PICs even if they don't trade or move their livestock.
Owners of horses, deer, bison, buffalo, camelids, donkeys, 100 or more poultry birds, or 10 or more emus or ostriches now also need codes.
NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said expanding the regulation to include horses will protect the state's equine industry from disease outbreaks.
"Our ability to effectively respond to future animal disease outbreaks or other emergencies relies on knowing where horses are located as well as contact details for the owner," he said.
Mr Roth said a 2007 outbreak of equine influenza could have been better contained with a PIC system.
"The initial response to EI was hampered by not knowing the location of horses and not being able to target areas with the highest density of horses for surveillance and vaccination," he said.
A PIC costs $66 for three years, and can be applied for through the Livestock Health and Pest Authority. Properties not complying with the rules face a $550 fine.
In the case of agistment or lease properties, livestock owners need to check with the land owner whether there is a PIC for that land, and, if not, arrange to obtain one.
Bruce Christie, executive director biosecurity NSW Department of Primary Industries said the changes are an important measure in protecting the state's livestock industries.
"The expansion of Property Identification Codes to cover additional livestock species will strengthen biosecurity and improve NSW's capacity to respond to animal disease incidents," Mr Christie said.
"By establishing clear traceability back to specific properties we are well placed to quickly respond to animal disease outbreaks."
Source: weeklytimesnow.com.au
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