Acronyms and Terms Associated with NLIS
Note Number: AG1322
Published: November 2007
Updated: June 2012
This Agnote provides a list of commonly used acronyms and terms associated with the NLIS and electronic identification of livestock.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| AAAAAAAA (or 8As) | Default PIC used to register livestock movements on the NLIS database when the PIC of the property on which cattle are to be kept is not known and a Stock Agent PIC or Butcher’s PIC is not available. |
| Bobby calf | A calf not accompanied by its dam that is less than 6 weeks of age. |
| Butcher | A person, organisation or company other than a processor purchasing cattle for slaughter within 7 days. |
| Cattle | Means any bull, cow, ox, steer, heifer, calf or buffalo. |
| Dairy goat breeds | Saanen, British Alpine, Toggenburg, Anglo Nubian, Melaan (all black) and Australian Brown (all brown). |
| Department (DPI) | Victorian Department of Primary Industries. |
| EEEEEEEE (8Es) | Default PIC used to register livestock movements on the NLIS database when animals are Exported from Australia. |
| EUCAS | European Union Cattle Accreditation Scheme. Australia’s system for producing cattle in accordance with EU requirements. Administered by AQIS under the Export Control Act. |
| Farmed goat | Domesticated goats including dairy, fibre and meat breeds. |
| Lifetime traceable | A status assigned to NLIS identified livestock where every property of residence in an animal’s life has been registered on the NLIS database in accordance with NLIS Terms of Use. |
| Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) | LPA is the livestock industry’s voluntary on-farm quality assurance program. |
| MLA | Meat and Livestock Australia. |
| Microchip number | Unique number encoded on each microchip which, when read electronically, has 16 characters in the following format: Manufacturer’s code - 3 numeric characters Space - 1 character Individual chip number - 12 numeric characters |
| Movement | Any movement of livestock between properties with different PICs |
| National Livestock Identification System | The national system operating throughout Australia for the identification and tracing of livestock, and operating under the auspices and direction of SAFEMEAT. |
| National Vendor Declaration (NVD) | Document completed by the vendor and accompanying consignments of cattle, sheep and goats used to describe the livestock and specify their chemical treatment and exposure history. |
| NLIS database | National database operated by NLIS Ltd which holds the register of NLIS Devices, including microchip and associated NLIS numbers, transaction records, and residue, disease and market access status information for PICs and NLIS identified cattle and sheep identified with electronic NLIS (Sheep) tags. The database also facilitates the provision of carcase feedback to producers. |
| NLIS Tag/Device | Identification tag/device approved by the NLIS Standards Committee for use as part of the NLIS (Cattle) or NLIS (Sheep & Goats). NLIS Tags/Devices are stamped with the NLIS logo. |
| NLIS Ltd | The company that administers the NLIS Database. |
| NLIS Logo | Registered trademark used to designate that a livestock identification device has been approved as an NLIS Device. |
| NLIS ID | Unique number printed on NLIS Devices consisting of: 8 character PIC of the property on which the device is to be, or has been used, 2 alphanumeric characters identifying the manufacturer and device type, e.g. Breeder or Post-Breeder tag, alpha character for year of supply, and 4 or 5 character serial number, the first character of which may be an alpha character (not I or O). |
| NLIS (Sheep) Post-Breeder tag | A pink NLIS approved device for the permanent identification of sheep and goats that are no longer on their property of birth. |
| Processor | A person, organisation or company directly engaged in the slaughter of livestock for human consumption. |
| Over the hooks | Where livestock are sent directly to an abattoir and paid on a weight and grade basis post slaughter. |
| Producer | A person, organisation or company actively engaged in the raising of cattle, sheep or goats for subsequent sale, and includes dairy farmers, feedlot operators and fibre goat producers. |
| Property | A parcel of land, consisting of one or more blocks within the one locality, operating as part of a livestock enterprise. |
| Property Identification Code (PIC) | The eight character alphanumeric code for a property as allocated by the relevant State or Territory authority. In Victoria, PICs are allocated by DPI and commence with the prefix ‘3’. |
| Rumen bolus | A device administered orally to ruminant species which is designed to remain permanently in the rumen or reticulum. Rumen boluses contain a microchip that can be read electronically. |
| SAFEMEAT | The national industry/government committee responsible for food safety policy development within the Australian red meat industries. |
| Saleyard operator | The person, organisation or company responsible for the operation of a saleyard, public scale operation or a public auction held on a farm or at a public venue. |
| Sheep | Includes lambs, hoggets, wethers, ewes and rams |
| Stock agent | A commission agent who buys and sells livestock by auction or private treaty. |
| Terms of Use | The rules governing the operation of the NLIS database, available at www.nlis.com.au |
| Transponder | Alternative term for the microchip embedded in electronic livestock identification devices on which is encoded a unique unalterable number. |
| Vendor | A person, organisation or company offering livestock for sale. |
General Information
The following are useful contacts for further information:
- NLIS Queries in Victoria
For the NLIS in Victoria call DPI’s toll-free NLIS Helpline on 1800678 779 during business hours. - DPI Website: National Livestock Identification System
- Sheep CRC Website: www.sheepcrc.org.au
Ordering Electronic (Sheep) NLIS Tags
You can order NLIS devices on-line using a credit card at Livestock Tags Online.
Acknowledgements
Authored by Kellyanne Semple, November 2007.
Reviewed by Kellyanne Semple, February 2009.
Reviewed by Liane Holm, August 2012.
ISSN 1329-8062
Published and Authorised by:
Department of Environment and Primary Industries
1 Spring Street
Melbourne, Victoria
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication
