• National Livestock Identification System
• About NLIS
• NLIS Advantages
• NLIS Cattle Contacts
• NLIS Cattle Device Manufacturers
• Using the NLIS database
• Resources
• Producers and Feedlots
• Processors
• Saleyards
• NLIS and the EU
• Technical Specifications
• NLIS for Sheep & Goats

NLIS Advantages

There is a global trend towards adopting animal traceability systems. Australia’s major competitors and customers have or are in the process of adopting animal identification systems. To maintain our competitive advantage, NLIS became mandatory in Australia in 2005. NLIS delivers advantages for the livestock industry, and for cattle producers.

Market access and consumer confidence

In 2006/2007, Australia exported 67% of its total beef production to markets. Japan Korea and Taiwan accounted for 60% of this trade and the US, for 31%. The impact of losing one of the major markets is far greater for Australia than for our competitors.

NLIS facilitates access to the EU market. Other markets may impose similar traceability requirements for Australia’s product. NLIS maintains consumer confidence in the safety and quality of Australian beef and dairy products.

Reduce impact of disease outbreaks

In May 2007, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry undertook the CowCatcher II Traceability exercise to test the ability of each state to comply with the National Performance Traceability Standards.

Of the 300 animals involved in the exercise, 99% were traced back to their property of birth within 24 hours and the remainder, within 48 hours. These results were a dramatic improvement over the CowCatcher I exercise conducted in 2004, before it was mandatory to record all cattle movements on the database.

CowCatcher II confirmed that NLIS protects and enhances Australia’s reputation as supplier of wholesome beef and dairy products. Read more about CowCatcher in feedback: Catching cows with the push of a button (PDF, 73KB)

More information: Please send email to nlis.support@mla.com.au