Property Identification Codes
A Property Identification Code (PIC) is the code allocated by DEDJTR or the equivalent authority in other states and territories to a property used for agricultural purposes.
The purpose of property identification is partly for tracing and controlling disease and residue problems that may be detected after leaving the farm, but also for locating properties and owners that have livestock when an outbreak of a disease that may threaten their enterprise is detected in an area. Traceability systems provide confidence to consumers in domestic and overseas markets that the products they buy are of good quality.
Who should have a PIC?
Livestock PIC
Individuals must have a PIC for the properties on which they graze the following livestock:
- cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, alpaca, llamas, deer, horses, camels
- more than 50 poultry (i.e. domesticated fowl, chickens, ducks, geese, turkey, guinea fowl, pigeons, quail or pheasants) or 10 emus or ostriches.
All livestock businesses (saleyards, cattle scales, abattoirs, knackeries and stock agents) must also have a livestock PIC.
Horse owners running horses on their own property and owners of properties where horses are agisted must also have a PIC.
What about agistment and lease properties?
PICs are allocated to a parcel of land that may consist of more than one block within the one locality, operating as part of one livestock enterprise. As long as the land on which the livestock are agisted and leased is in the same locality, ie in the same shire or in a neighbouring shire, then both blocks of land can be covered by the ‘home’ PIC.
For example Tom Jones owns 2 blocks of land separated by 10km. Both blocks are grazed by Tom’s livestock and exist within the one shire. One ‘home’ PIC covers both blocks of land as Tom listed the 2 blocks on the PIC application.
Contact the NLIS hotline and follow ‘how to apply for a PIC’ to cover agistment or leased land within the same locality to the ‘home’ PIC.
What about online and print media livestock sales?
Most livestock sales in Victoria involve livestock agents, auctioneers, saleyards, abattoirs and knackeries. Within these sectors of industry, and amongst commercial livestock producers, the importance of traceability is understood with strong regulatory compliance. An increasing number of livestock are sold outside of these usual channels, particularly on-line and in the print media. DEDJTR is concerned that a proportion of these sales do not comply with traceability legislation and consequently pose a risk to the broader livestock industries.
Vendors now selling livestock species are required to include the PIC of the property at which the livestock are kept in any advertisement for the sale (including giving away or bartering) of those livestock. It will be an offence for the vendor to fail to include the PIC in the advertisement, or for the media organisation who publishes the advertisement if it does not contain that PIC. An alternative is to include the name and contact details of the livestock agent in the advertisement.
How much does a PIC cost?
There is no cost to apply for, or receive a PIC.
How can I apply for a PIC?
Contact the PIC Helpline on 1800 678 779 to have a form mailed or faxed to you or click the link below.
Click here to go the Agriculture Victoria website for forms and more info.
Kyneton & District Poultry Club Inc. 