Owners must register
All pig owners must be registered with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).
There are now two avenues to register: via the new online Brands Portal or with the existing paper-based applications. The Brands Portal is a secure website that allows Beekeepers, Livestock owners and supply chain location operators to manage their registrations online. It is the preferred option for submitting registrations. To register as an owner of stock, login to the Brands Portal online.
You will be taken to the Welcome page which will guide you through the Digital Identity setup and Brands Portal login procedures. If you are unable or prefer not to use the Brands Portal, you can download and send in the completed paper forms via email or post.
On registration you will be issued registered identifiers (stock brand, earmark and pig tattoo) and a property identification code (PIC) for the property where the animals are kept. A PIC card is issued that lists the properties that the owner has nominated to run stock on and the registered identifiers for use with the stock.
For more information see:
- Livestock ownership, identification and movement in Western Australia
- Registering as an owner of stock
- Registration forms for livestock ownership in Western Australia
Identification requirements
The BAM (IMSA) Regulations underpin the NLIS. Pigs may have an accredited NLIS ear tag displaying the owner’s registered PIC, a "P" in a circle and the NLIS logo. This is the only option for pigs under 25kg. Pigs 25kg and over may be tattooed or NLIS tagged.
Registered pig tattoo – arrangement of 5 numerals
Your registered pig tattoo consists of an arrangement of 5 numerals. It is presented in the following format: 12/123. It is the same number as your registration number.
Slap brand tattoo – for pigs 25kg and over
A slap brand tattoo can only be used for pigs that are 25kg and over. A slap brand consists of needles inserted into a block and inked with approved carbon black paste or ink/dye. Slap brands must be ordered through an approved manufacturer or rural retailer.
If choosing to use the tattoo:
- Before leaving the property of birth, pigs 25kg and over must be slap branded on the left shoulder with the tattoo registered to that property.
- Before leaving any other property, introduced pigs and those of uncertain origin must be slap branded on the right shoulder with the tattoo registered to that property. If the right shoulder has been previously used for a tattoo, use the right rump, then left rump.
NLIS tags
Owners may choose this method of identification, particularly for non-commercial pigs. This is the only method for identifying pigs under 25kg. NLIS tags for pigs must be ordered through an approved manufacturer or rural retailer.
- Before leaving the property of birth, pigs under 25kg must be tagged in their left ear with a yellow NLIS breeder tag bearing the PIC of that property.
- Before leaving any other property, pigs under 25kg must be tagged in their right ear with an orange NLIS post-breeder tag bearing the PIC of that property.
- Using an NLIS tag with the correct placement and colour as described is an option for pigs 25kg and over.
- When an NLIS tag is applied, it must stay with the pig for life and not be removed.
- If an NLIS tag is lost, the pig must be identified with the appropriate tag for its current PIC of residence.
Identification exemptions
Unweaned pigs moved with their correctly identified mother between properties with the same PIC do not need to be identified.
Use of identifiers and equipment
Please note the following:
- You must not take your slap brand or NLIS pig tags off the property they are registered to without a permit from DPIRD.
- NLIS pig tags issued for use on one property cannot be used to identify animals located on another property with a different PIC.
- NLIS pig tags cannot be sold, given away or reused.
- NLIS accredited tags are ordered through your rural supplier or online directly from the manufacturers. You will need to provide your PIC when ordering.
- Once an NLIS tag is attached to a pig, it must not be removed until the animal is processed in an abattoir
Moving pigs
Whether you move one pig, 20 pigs, a Christmas pig or a pet pig off your property, you must have a movement document that accompanies the pigs. This includes movements to other farms or properties where ownership or PIC changes, abattoirs, saleyards or showgrounds.
Pigs must not be moved off a property without a completed waybill or equivalent (PigPass NVD waybill). To create a PigPass NVD waybill, you must be registered with PigPass. The movement documents must be kept for a minimum of seven years.
Ensuring pigs are identified with a tattoo or NLIS tag, moved with a waybill and the movements recorded on the database, ensures that animals can be traced in the event of disease outbreak or chemical residue incident. The waybill also provides proof that stock are being moved with the owner’s consent and it must remain with the stock while they are being transported.
For more information, see the webpage: Moving livestock in Western Australia.
To become registered with Pigpass, contact 1800 001 458 or go online at the Pigpass website.
Updating the NLIS database through PigPass
The movement of pigs to a property with a different PIC must be recorded on the PigPass database within 48 hours of arrival at that PIC. The PigPass database will automatically upload all pig movements to the NLIS database. The receiver of the stock at the destination property or showground is responsible for ensuring this is done, even if they do not do it themselves.
Offences under the BAM (IMSA) Regulations 2013
- possessing stock that are not legally identified
- using another person's registered identifiers – brand, earmark, tattoo
- possessing another person’s registered identification equipment
- applying your tattoo or NLIS tags to animals on another person’s property
- using another person's NLIS tags
- removing NLIS ear tags
- trading or moving animals without correct identification
- failure to transfer animals on the PigPass (NLIS) database after movement to a different PIC.
The penalty for a breach of this legislation may be a fine up to $20,000.
More information
For information on registering as an owner of stock to get your PIC and pig tattoo, see:
- DPIRD website: www.agric.wa.gov.au/livestock-ownership or
- telephone: 1300 926 547
For information about PigPass:
- telephone: 1800 001 458
- email: helpdesk@pigpass.com.au
- website: www.pigpass.com.au