You will need a property identification code (PIC) if you are the owner / manager or occupier of land that holds livestock. Livestock includes cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, bison, buffalo, deer, camelids, equines and poultry. Your property must have a PIC regardless of whether you intend to move livestock or not.
A PIC is a unique eight-character number assigned to properties with livestock. This property registration system allows the movement of livestock (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) between properties to be traced via the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database. The NLIS is a nationwide biosecurity strategy to trace meat from paddock to plate and to safeguard domestic and export markets. Traceability of stock is fundamental in the event of disease control or chemical residues.
Please be aware that all sale-yards, abattoirs and show-grounds must also have a PIC. If you have horses on your property, or you are an owner of property where horses are agisted, you will also require a PIC.
Normally each property has its own PIC. However, one PIC can be used for more than one property provided the properties are used for a common purposes (for example to graze the same livestock) and are proximate (adjoining or nearby).
