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Welcome To PigPass

PigPass is a national tracking system which provides real time information on the movements of all pigs in Australia. This enables authorities to quickly determine the source of a disease outbreak and notify people with pigs in the affected area to stop the spread of disease.

A PigPass National Vendor Declaration (PigPass NVD) form must be completed when you move pigs from your property. This applies to all pig owners and producers, regardless of the numbers of the pigs moved.

From 1 February 2018, state and territory governments will be introducing mandatory reporting of all pig movements to the PigPass database. Failure to comply with the reporting requirements may result in a penalty notice.

When transporting pigs off the property owners must complete a PigPass NVD ensuring all information has been completed in full, including the destination PIC. The receiver must 'close the loop' by reporting the movement online using the originating sender’s serial number from the PigPass NVD. A receiver could be an abattoir, a pig producer, a pet pig owner, a saleyard, a knackery, a show or event or a livestock agent.

PigPass is designed to link pigs to a property of origin using a Property Identification Code (PIC), registered pig identification (ear tags and tattoos), and pig movement documentation (the PigPass NVD).

Whether you have one pig, 20 pigs, a pet pig or a Christmas pig - you must register with PigPass.

PigPass helps to ensure that the transport of pigs meets agreed industry and government standards relating to food safety, animal disease control and animal welfare. Don't wait until 1 February – register with PigPass – start recording movements now to protect your pigs and be ready to meet your obligations.

APL will from time to time make PigPass system improvements and changes to facilitate industry compliance with government regulations, and to improve traceability outcomes for the industry. Please contact the PigPass Helpdesk if you have any questions or require assistance.




Australia is lucky to be free of many of the diseases that threaten the pork industry overseas. Australian pork is regarded as a premium product in domestic and international markets, revered for its safe, clean and green attributes. This valuable export market relies on our herd remaining disease-free, so we need effective bio-security measures in place to maintain consumer confidence in Australian pork.

To help protect our industry, PigPass was developed. PigPass is a tracking system used to track the movement of all pigs in Australia. Through this system a clear picture of all pig movements is known. This is extremely important in the event of a disease outbreak or food safety emergency. PigPass also provides assurance to consumers of the safety, integrity and traceability of pork products. Buyers and processors rely on this information to ensure only the safest food enters the supply chain.



Who needs to register?

Whether you have one pig, 20 pigs, a pet pig or a Christmas pig – if you are moving pigs off your property or you are receiving pigs onto your property, show, abattoir, knackery, export depot etc, you must register with PigPass.

PigPass is designed to link pigs to a property of origin using a Property Identification Code (PIC), registered pig identification (ear tags and tattoos), and PigPass NVD. For those who do not already have a PIC there is a legal requirement for you to obtain a PIC.

From 1 February 2018, state and territory governments will be introducing mandatory reporting via PigPass for every time a pig is brought onto or leaves your property. Failure to use PigPass places your own pigs, your neighbour's animals and the entire livestock industry at risk if your pig contracts a disease.



How the system works?

PigPass is designed to protect the Australian pork industry which employs more than 36,000 people in Australia, and contributes approximately A$5.2 billion in gross domestic product to the Australian economy.

Using PigPass is quick, easy and FREE. The PigPass NVD is a form you complete online. Alternatively, you can purchase PigPass NVD book via the PigPass portal.

To complete a PigPass NVD, you must first register with PigPass. Have your PIC details and pig tattoo number handy. Once you have completed your registration, it will need to be activated. Please allow two business days for this to occur. When the account is active you can create a PigPass NVD online. This is completely free and can be made up to five days ahead of time. Alternatively you can purchase a PigPass NVD book online.

Pigs require a PigPass every time they are transported. Hand two copies to the person transporting the pigs, one of which is retained by the transporter. The other is given by the transporter to the receiver of the pigs, including shows and events, abattoirs, schools, knackeries, producers, pet pig owners, export depots and livestock agents. A pig may have a number of different types of journeys and several parts to that journey. For example,

  • Property to saleyard - vendor completes PigPass NVD > vendor provide PigPass NVD to transporter > transporter provides a copy to saleyards > saleyard provides copy to purchaser > saleyard reports the movement to the PigPass database.
  • Property to property - vendor completes PigPass NVD > vendor provide PigPass NVD to transporter > transporter provides a copy to purchaser > purchaser reports the movement to the PigPass database.
  • Property to abattoir - owner completes PigPass NVD > owner provide PigPass NVD to transporter > transporter provides a copy to the abattoir (or the owner carries the PigPass NVD if transporting themselves) > abattoir reports the movement to the PigPass database.

When you receive pigs, you must ensure they have a PigPass NVD and you must report the movement of the pigs on your Property Identification Code (PIC) online using the originating sender's serial number which can be found on the PigPass NVD.






Register

To obtain a PigPass NVD you must register on the PigPass database. To register you will need the following information:

1. Property Identification Code (PIC)

A Property Identification Code or PIC is a unique identifier for land used for keeping livestock. PICs are assigned to individual properties by the Department of Primary Industries in your state or territory, or by the Local Land Services in NSW.

To obtain a PIC, please check the legal requirements in your state. PICs are always eight characters long, and are made of letters and numbers.

2. Pig Identification (tattoo/brand number or NLIS accredited pig tag)

In all states, pigs must be identified before being moved off your property. This includes movements to another property (but only where a change of ownership takes place), to the saleyards and to the abattoirs. The specific requirements vary depending on your state or territory.

Pigs under 25 kg must be identified with a NLIS accredited pig tag. Pigs over 25 kg may be identified with either a NLIS accredited pig tag or a brand (also called a tattoo). When registering on PigPass, you must indicate whether you are using the registered brand or a pig tag in order for the account to be approved.

In Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia your brand number will be issued to you by the relevant state authority (usually the DPI). In NSW, you must register your brand number, which is the last six digits of your PIC, with Local Land Services.

In NSW only, if you only need to move a small number of pigs - for instance, a pet pig - then please ask your Local Land Services to brand this pig with a crown brand before registering for PigPass. You will need to let us know that this has happened when registering.

If you are in Queensland and own two pigs or less, you won't need to provide a brand number to register.

Once your Registration has been approved (this may take up to two business days), you can download and print an electronic PigPass NVD. This can be completed up to 5 days before pigs are due to be moved, and it is free. Alternatively, you can purchase a PigPass NVD book – a discount is offered to producers who order online. To learn more about how the system works visit the 'About' section.


Pig Identification

In Australia, all pigs must be identified with brands or NLIS approved ear tags before being moved from your PIC. This applies to movements to another property where a change of ownership takes place, to saleyards, to abattoirs and to shows or events. Requirements do vary slightly between states, so it is advised to verify requirements for your jurisdiction with your State’s Department of Agriculture (SDA).
Click here to download the Pig Identification Fact Sheet

Brand or Tattoo

Brands are applied to pigs using a "slap brand". This is a striker dipped in a carbon based ink, and leaving the tattoo or impression of the brand on the pig. For this reason, brands are often referred to as "tattoos" or "tattoo numbers". It is best to brand pigs just before they are due to be moved.

Branding is done so that pigs can be linked back to the property that they came from. The PigPass system records which brand(s) are registered for use on each property, as well as each mob of pigs being moved. In many cases properties use more than one brand, but these brands are all linked back to that property.

In Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia your brand number will be issued to you by the relevant state authority (usually the Department of Primary Inustries (DPI) or SDA). In NSW, you must register your brand number, which is the last six digits of your PIC, with Local Land Services. More information can be found in the table below:



Once I've been issued with a brand number, how do I apply it to my pigs?

You need to tattoo your pigs using a "slap brand" or "striker". This is a tool for applying the brand to the pig's shoulder, and is unique to your brand number.

  • Pigs departing from the property of birth must be branded on the left shoulder with the tattoo assigned by the state or territory authority for that property.
  • All pigs introduced, and those of unknown origin, before leaving the property, must be branded on the right shoulder with the tattoo registered to that property. For subsequent movements, the pigs must be branded on the right rump and left rump in that order

You can purchase a slap brand from many rural suppliers. APL maintains a list of suppliers here. If you are a supplier who makes or sells slap brands, and you would like to be included on this list, then please let us know by calling 1800 001 458.

Visual Ear Tags

APL expects that producers already using tattoos will continue to do so. However, visual ear tags are now approved as an alternative for producers who do not use a tattoos in most states, as described above.

The requirements for using ear tags for pigs must comply with the NLIS Pigs Standards as approved by Agriculture Ministers on 26 July 2017. As required by state and territory legislation, NLIS Ltd has approved the use of four visual ear tags. The NLIS brochure outlining the ear tags and contact information to order tags can be downloaded here.

Approved NLIS pig identification ear tags will be printed with the NLIS logo, the letter "P" in a circle, and the Property Identification Code (PIC) once ordered. These are NOT to be hand written on or removed from a live animal. A yellow tag (see example below) must be applied to pigs on their property of birth – this is known as a "breeder tag". An orange tag (see example below) is to be applied to a pig that has moved and is no longer on the property of birth – this is known as a "post breeder tag".

NLIS Approved Pig


Producers should always consider the welfare of the pig when choosing an appropriate ear tag. Apply the tag just before you want to move the pigs to minimise time in which tags can be lost. It is recommended that a tattoo/brand is used to identify pigs over 25kg. The main reason that brands are preferred over ear tags is that they are able to be read from the carcass of a pig.

You can order NLIS Approved visual ear tags for pigs from your local rural supplies store or one of the online suppliers listed below. Please note this is not an exhaustive list. If you are an NLIS Pigs Ear Tag re-seller and would like to be listed here, please email helpdesk@pigpass.com.au.


Property Identification

A Property Identification Code (PIC) is a unique identifier issued by state and territory goverment to identify property keeping livestock. PICs are assigned to individual properties by Local Land Services in NSW and by the department of primary industries or equivalent in other states. Contact details can be found in the drop down boxes above for each state.


  • NLIS Pigs Standards
  • How to complete a PigPass
  • How to submit an electronic PigPass NVD
  • What version of PigPass NVD are accepted?
  • ESI and WHPs
  • How to report a movement of pigs
  • Is this a genuine or valid PigPass NVD?
  • Abattoirs
  • Pet Pigs
  • Swill Feeding
  • APIQ✔®
  • Contacts and links

NLIS Pigs Standards

These Standards have been endorsed by Agriculture Ministers across Australia. State and territory governments will introduce legislation to mandate pig movement reporting, including identification. This brings pigs in line with cattle, sheep and goat movement reporting. Many producers have already been reporting their movements to the PigPass database. For those who haven’t been reporting their pig movements, whether the movement is for one pig, ten pigs or 1,000 pigs, it all has to be reported within two days to the PigPass database.

Movement reporting is critical to dealing with exotic disease incursions. It gives authorities the ability to rapidly identify animals, their property of birth and/or last place of residence. This information is critical to understanding where disease may be present.

How to complete a PigPass

This facsheet explains how to fill out a PigPass NVD. To obtain PigPass NVDs, you will first need to register for PigPass.


How to submit an electronic PigPass NVD

This facsheet explains how to fill out an electronic PigPass NVD. To obtain PigPass NVDs, you will first need to register for PigPass.


What version of PigPass NVD are accepted?

APL accepts the current PigPass NVD version 8, along with the previous two versions (version 7 and 6), older PigPass NVD book are no longer accepted. Additionally, an Electronic PigPass NVD only valid for 5 days from date of creation.

ESIs & WHPs

Withholding periods (WHP) and export slaughter intervals (ESI) are important factors in ensuring that only the safest food enters into the supply chain.

A WHP is the time that must pass between chemical application and the use of the meat for human consumption in Australia. An ESI is the period between chemical application to livestock and their slaughter for export. Chemical application can apply to veterinary treatments as well as agricultural chemicals.

For information regarding compounds registered for use in pigs that require an ESI or a WHS, view the ESI-WHP overview table.

Compounds banned for use in food-producing animals

For food safety reasons, the PigPass NVD requires you to declare that the pigs in the consignment were not treated with, or exposed to any compounds banned for use in food producing animals.
For a list of these compounds, please consult the APVMA web page "Substances not permitted for use on food-producing animals in Australia" list at: https://apvma.gov.au/node/11626.
Compounds on this list must not be administered or used on pigs under any circumstances.

How to report a movement

This factsheet explains how producers can report movements of pigs on to their property.


Is this a genuine or valid PigPass NVD?

How do I tell the difference between a PigPass, a book PigPass NVD and one that has been photocopied?

  • Photocopied PigPass NVD forms are usually handwritten whereas most of an electronic PigPass form (ePigPass form) will be completed in type.
  • The current PigPass NVD is version 8 whereas photocopied PigPass NVDs are typically an earlier version eg. version 2 or 3.
  • The PigPass has a barcode printed at the top of the left hand column plus a unique serial number and a registered user number. Photocopied PigPass forms typically don't have this.
  • At the top of the right hand column of the PigPass you will see the date and time the form was printed. Be suspicious if the form was printed more than a week ago. Photocopied forms typically don’t have a date and time printed on them at all.
  • An electronic PigPass is only valid for 5 days from date of creation. Each PigPass has a valid until date and time printed at the top of the left hand column.
  • If you are still not convinced that it is a genuine PigPass form, you can phone the PigPass Helpdesk (1800 001 458) and we will check that there is a record of its creation in the system. Government users with access to the PigPass database can check these themselves.


Why can’t a photocopied PigPass NVD forms be accepted?
Genuine PigPass NVD forms are far more traceable, which helps to protect the industry and minimise disruption to markets in the case of a food safety or animal disease outbreak. Producers using genuine PigPass NVDs have their details registered on the PigPass database, and each PigPass NVD is numbered with a unique serial number to enable rapid trace-back in an emergency.

Export abattoirs require consignments of pigs to be accompanied by a valid PigPass NVD i.e. one underpinned by a valid QA program to meet their audit requirements. It is also a requirement of the APIQ✔® program that only genuine PigPass NVD forms be used.


Abattoirs

Abattoirs must ensure all pigs received are accompanied with a valid and completed PigPass and that you 'close the loop' on traceability by reporting the movement to the PigPass database online. The PigPass NVD is a legal declaration and includes critical information to ensure food safety and traceability. Processing any pigs that do not have a completed PigPass NVD is in breach of Australian Standard for the Hygienic Production and Transportation of Meat and Meat Products for Human Consumption (AS4696:2007) and could result in a penalty notice.

PigPass has been designed in consultation with industry to enable all movements to be traced, which enables authorities to quickly determine the source of a disease outbreak and notify pig owners in the affected area, to protect the animals and stop the spread of disease.

It also allow authorities to trace pigs in the event of a food safety incident. This provide consumers here and in export markets with an assurance to underpin the safety of the pork that they consume.

Pet Pigs

If you are thinking about keeping a pig as a pet there are some must dos before bringing your porker home.


Check with your local council
Rules and regulations about keeping a pig on the property differ between all councils and states. It is extremely important to find out what the rules for your council are. Some councils will not allow pigs to be kept in certain areas.

There are a number of concerns when keeping pigs and councils do consider these factors carefully. You do not want to be in a situation where your pet is removed from you, because you did not check with the council first.


Obtain a Property Identification Code (PIC)
Once you have confirmed from your local council that it is ok to keep a pet on your property a PIC number will help PigPass and your state authority keep track of pig locations just in case of an exotic disease outbreak. More information on PICs can be found here.


Register with PigPass
Registration is free and can be done online. PigPass is a system for tracing pigs. It consist of a movement document (PigPass NVD) and a reporting database to report each movement. When a pig is moved a PigPass NVD should accompany this movement. When you are accepting a pig onto your property it is your obligation to ensure that you receive a PigPass NVD when accepting the pig and the to report the movement to PigPass database.


Do not feed swill to your pig
Swill feeding is illegal and is the number one threat for disease pathways into Australia. Swill is the traditional name for food scraps, or food waste that has come into contact with meat or meat products. Put simply, pigs must not be fed or be allowed to eat meat or meat products, or anything that has been in contact with meat or meat products. This includes food scraps, bakery waste, waste from restaurants and untreated used cooking oils and fats. More information can be found here.

If you are caught feeding swill to pigs harsh penalties apply and you could face fines up to $55,000.


Ensure that you understand your welfare obligations
Like all animals pigs need care and attention if they are to be happy and healthy pets. It is your obligation to ensure that basic welfare requirements are met. The Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals: Pigs Third edition available at http://www.publish.csiro.au/Books/download.cfm?ID=5698 is a good starting point in understanding your responsibilities.


Miniature pigs - not so mini
There are some breeders who claim that they are 'miniature' pig breeders. There is no breed of pig that is permitted in Australia that is a true miniature variety, and it is illegal to import both live pigs and genetics. So called mini pigs are selected to be smaller than that of commercial pigs, however they can still get quite large. Breeders will use tactics like restrictive diets and inbreeding to try and achieve smaller pigs. When you bring your piglet home there is a risk that it will grow much larger than you were expecting, sometimes so called mini pigs can grow well over 100kg. A normal size pig can be born from a mini pig. Check with the seller of the mini pigs about this risk.

If you have any further questions about keeping a pig as a pet or need help registering for PigPass please contact the PigPass helpdesk.


Swill Feeding - It's Illegal! Check Your Compliance!

Swill feeding, that is feeding meat, meat products or anything that has been in contact with meat to pigs is illegal in Australia. Swill feeding is also known as Prohibited Pig Feed.

Swill can carry exotic diseases that could devastate our livestock industries. Feeding swill to pigs is the most likely way that Australian livestock may be exposed to a disease outbreak like foot-and-mouth disease.

These rules apply to all pigs including pet pigs and pigs kept on your property for your own consumption. To be on the safe side look for quality assured feed and ask your feed supplier for a vendor declaration. If you are unsure what you can and can't feed your pigs, ask your department primary industries or equivalent in your state for guidance.

What is Prohibited Pig Feed?
Prohibited Pig Feed is defined as material of mammalian origin, or any substance that has come in contact with this material. Put simply, pigs must not be fed or be allowed to eat meat or meat products, or anything that has been in contact with meat or meat products. This includes food scraps, bakery waste, waste from restaurants and untreated used cooking oils and fats.

Are there any exceptions?
Yes. The definition of Prohibited Pig Feed does not include:

  • Milk or milk products that are of Australian origin or have been legally imported for stock-feed use in Australia.
  • Rendered and commercially manufactured meat meals produced in accordance with the Australian Standard for the Hygienic Rendering of Animal Products.
  • Other feed that has been approved in writing by the relevant authority within the state or territory government.

If in doubt, don't feed any food waste to your pigs.

Why is it illegal?
Meat and mammalian material can contain viruses that are not found in Australian livestock. Diseases like foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever and African swine fever and transmissible gastroenteritis can be carried and transmitted by feeding swill to pigs.

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease would be disastrous and would likely result in the slaughter of many pigs and immediate closure of markets for Australian meat and livestock. Feeding swill to pigs is believed to have caused the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK in 2001. Think about how you would feel if you caused an out break of foot and mouth disease in Australia.

What are the penalties?
Strong penalties apply if you are caught doing any of the following:

  1. Feeding Prohibited Pig Feed to pigs
  2. Allowing pigs to access Prohibited Pig Feed
  3. Storing Prohibited Pig Feed at a place where one or more pigs are kept
  4. Collecting and or supplying Prohibited Pig Feed to be fed to pigs.

Penalties may extend to anyone who is aware that pigs are being fed Prohibited Pig Feed.

These rules apply to all pigs including pet pigs and pigs for your own consumption.

If you suspect pigs are being fed Prohibited Pig Feed, call your relevant state department or the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

When purchasing feed, be on the safe side and look for feed that have been prepared under a quality assurance program such as FeedSafe®. For a list of accredited feed suppliers visit the SFMCA website.

Be sure to request a vendor declaration from your feed supplier and/or your feed ingredient supplier when you purchase feed.

Read More About Swill Feeding

APIQ✔®

APIQ✔® is the pork industry's on-farm quality assurance program that underpins the information supplied on the PigPass NVD. On-farm QA programs provide a means to verify that good agricultural practices for management, food safety, animal welfare, bio-security and traceability are followed on farm and that industry best practice and govenment requirements are met. While goverments will make PigPass mandatory, APIQ✔® will remain voluntary.

The Australian Goverment Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) requires all pork exporters (abattoirs, processors and storage establishments) to verify that the pork and pork offal they wish to export meets the food safety requirements of the importing country. DAWR therefore requires that all pigs going to export are accompanied by a valid PigPass NVD and are sourced from a farm with a current, approved QA program in place.

APIQ✔® is an approved QA program accepted by processors and regulators for this purpose.

While the APIQ✔® program is not compulsory, Australian Pork Limited strongly encourages its uptake by producers . It has been developed by industry in consultation with producers, government and key customers and provides the basis for a producer to verify compliance with both industry standards and legislative requirements.

Other QA programs such as ISO9000 or SQF1000 may also be acceptable if they address the industry standards and legislative requirements.

For more information on APIQ✔® contact APIQ Management on 1800 789 099 or visit the APIQ✔® website www.apiq.com.au

Contacts


Links