Moving sheep and goats

Moving sheep and goats within SA

Moving sheep and goats between properties

All sheep and goats moving between properties with a different Property Identification Code (PIC) must have a National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) device and be accompanied by:

1. either of the following:
   • a National vendor declaration (NVD) from Animal Health Australia
   • alternative sheep & goat waybill ( PDF 195.4 KB DOC 223.5 KB )
2. a National Sheep Health Statement - required for sheep only.

NLIS tagging requirements do not apply to rangeland goats that are going direct to slaughter within 6 weeks of capture.

Moving sheep to a saleyard

Individual saleyards accept livestock consignments with varying flock disease status.

Before moving livestock to a saleyard, producers must:

• ensure all consignments have their status verified and are accompanied by a completed National Sheep Health Declaration and National Vendor Declaration
• check what flock disease status is accepted at each saleyard for Johne's Disease and Footrot.

NLIS database

The NLIS database must be notified when 1 or more sheep and goats are moved to a property with a different PIC for any purpose including:

• sale
• agistment
• show
• loan.

The database must be updated by the owner of the animals at the destination property.

The NLIS database does not need to be updated by the owner of the animals when sheep and goats are:

• moved to a property with the same PIC
• sold or purchased through a saleyard or public auction conducted at any location
• sent to a feedlot or abattoir
• sent to an export depot
• taken to a show and returned home again.

People buying sheep or goats from saleyards must provide the saleyard operator with the PIC of the destination property.

Producers should check that the saleyard, abattoir, feedlot, export depot or show operator has correctly transferred sheep on the NLIS database.

Moving sheep and goats to SA from interstate

Producers in South Australia must be aware of the entry requirements related to sheep movement from interstate.

The management of endemic sheep diseases, Ovine Johne's Disease (OJD) or Johne's Disease (JD), changed on 1 July 2019 with restrictions lifted on sheep movements into South Australia.

For details, see the South Australian Ovine Johne's Disease Management Program.

Entry requirements for sheep entering SA

Prescribed movement information includes the:

• number of animals
• breed, gender and approximate age of the animals
• date on which the animals are being moved
• identification code of the land of dispatch
• identification code of the destination land (or the address or a description of the location of that land)
• name and signature of the person completing the document.

All sheep entering South Australia from interstate must have:

1. a National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) device
2. a National Sheep Health Declaration (NSHD)
3. one of the following documents:
   • a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) that includes the destination property address or property identification code
   • movement documentation containing prescribed information.

Sheep moving direct to slaughter from a saleyard outside of the state are not required to have a NSHD.

There are additional entry requirements aimed at minimising risk associated with footrot and OJD.

Entry requirements to minimise footrot risk

All forms of footrot are notifiable in South Australia.

Sheep entering SA must not:

• be infected with any strain of D. nodosus (footrot)
• originate from a property wherefootrot has occurred in the past 12 months
• be showing signs of footrot disease such as lameness, overgrown or misshapen hooves.

The Sheep Health Declaration must confirm that no footrot is present.

Sheep entering SA with any form of footrot may be examined or tested for D. nodosus. Actions may be taken under the Livestock Act 1997.

If severe disease or virulent strains are detected then the sheep are considered to be infected with virulent strains of footrot, even if the sheep are showing benign lesions.

Shows and individual sales may have a higher standard of biosecurity and may not allow sheep with any foot lesions to enter the facility. Contact the show or sale organiser for specific entry requirements.

Entry requirements to minimise OJD risk

From 1 July 2019, all adult sheep and lambs are eligible for entry into South Australia.

To minimise the risk these animals may pose, it is recommended that sheep entering SA are vaccinated for Johne's Disease, either before entry or on arrival to the state.

The following requirements apply to sheep movements in South Australia.

Selling in an SA saleyard:

• Must have an NSHD (saleyards will generally require an NVD as the movement document) and an NVD.
• Saleyards and other platforms may have other entry requirements – check with the relevant agent or see the disease status accepted by saleyards in SA.

Moving from saleyard to:

SA property

• Must have an NVD (or a document containing prescribed movement information) and an NSHD.

SA abattoir for processing

• Must have an NVD (or a document containing prescribed movement information).
• Most abattoirs will require an NVD for the consignment.

SA feedlot for finishing

• Must have an NVD (or a document containing prescribed movement information) and an NSHD.
• Declared quarantine facility feedlots may not require an NSHD – check with PIRSA.

Moving from property to:

SA property

• Must have an NVD (or a document containing prescribed movement information) and an NSHD.

SA abattoir for processing

• Must have an NVD (or a document containing prescribed movement information) and an NSHD.
• Most abattoirs will require an NVD for the consignment.

SA feedlot for finishing

• Must have an NVD (or a document containing prescribed movement information) and an NSHD.

Moving to an SA breeding centre:

• Must have an NVD (or a document containing prescribed movement information) and an NSHD.
• Breeding centres may set additional entry requirements. You must check these with the breeding centre prior to animals being dispatched from your property.

Attending shows in SA:

• Must have an NVD (or a document containing prescribed movement information) and an NSHD.
• Show societies may set additional entry requirements. You must check these with the relevant show society prior to dispatch of animals from your property.