State Cabinet has endorsed Queensland's entry into an Australia-wide livestock identification and tracking scheme for its cattle and sheep.

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Primary Industries & Fisheries, Henry Palaszczuk
prim...@cabinet.qld.gov.au
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06/09/04

Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said State Cabinet today decided the National Livestock and Identification System (NLIS) would be introduced on a mandatory, no exemptions basis from 1 July next year.

Cabinet's decision today reaffirms the announcement by Premier Peter Beattie last week.

>From 1 July next year, all cattle that move from a property will require movements to be recorded in a central database, while all cattle that move from a property to any destination other than directly to slaughter or live export will require an NLIS electronic device.

>From 1 July 2006, all cattle that move from a property to any destination other than directly from property of birth to slaughter or live export will require an NLIS device.

>From 1 July 2007 or earlier if the market demands, all cattle that move from the property of birth to slaughter of live export will also require an NLIS device in addition to all movements being recorded in a central database.

Mr Palaszczuk said the NLIS would allow the immediate, precise identification and tracking of the animal and any other animals it may have come in contact with anywhere along the production chain.

"NLIS is an insurance policy for Australia's beef industry and an assurance policy for our customers overseas," Mr Palaszczuk said.

Under NLIS, non-electronic plastic tags will be applied to sheep to identify flocks.

Mr Palaszczuk said he thanked all industry representatives who participated on the Queensland NLIS Implementation Committee (QNIC), which made recommendations to Government on the implementation.

"QNIC remains an important advisory group for the implementation of NLIS in Queensland," he said.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350