17th February, 2025
Owning livestock in regional NSW can be rewarding, but it comes with significant legal responsibilities. Whether you’re managing animals for commercial purposes or as pets, understanding the relevant regulations is essential to ensure compliance. In this blog, we’ll cover the key licences you need, the major rules to follow, and the authorities overseeing livestock management.
Licences and Registration: The Property Identification Code (PIC)
A Property Identification Code (PIC) is required for anyone in NSW who owns, moves, or buys livestock, even if they are kept as pets. Managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the PIC helps track the movement of livestock and ensures compliance with biosecurity regulations.
Having a PIC ensures your livestock are properly documented and traceable, especially if there are concerns about disease outbreaks.
Key Rules
As a livestock owner, you must adhere to several regulations to ensure animal welfare, prevent disease, and comply with rules related to livestock movement.
Animal Welfare
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTA) makes it a criminal offence to cause unnecessary pain to animals. While there are some exemptions for livestock used in food production, such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, any unnecessary harm can still lead to serious legal consequences. Certain practices, like ear-tagging, dehorning, and mulesing (the removal of skin around a sheep’s tail), are permitted under strict conditions. However, these procedures must be carried out properly to avoid causing unnecessary suffering.
Disease Control
Managing livestock health and preventing diseases is critical. The NSW DPI enforces biosecurity measures and offers guidance on disease prevention to protect the agricultural community.
Key Organisations Enforcing Livestock Laws
Several organisations regulate and enforce livestock laws in NSW:
- NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI): Oversees animal welfare, biosecurity, and the PIC system.
- Local Land Services (LLS): Assists with livestock management, local regulations, and disease outbreaks.
- NSW Police and RSPCA: Intervene in cases of cruelty or neglect under the POCTA.
- Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment: Regulates live export and animal welfare during transport.
Best Practices for Livestock Owners
To stay compliant, livestock owners should:
- Register for a Property Identification Code (PIC).
- Ensure proper care (food, water, shelter) for livestock.
- Regularly monitor livestock health and maintain veterinary records.
- Follow biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks.
At Castrikum Adams Legal, we specialise in complex property transactions, including those involving agricultural and rural properties. If you’re buying or selling land with livestock or transitioning your property holdings, our experienced team can guide you through the legalities of these processes. We help you navigate zoning laws, land use regulations, and ensure compliance with relevant property laws, making your transaction as smooth as possible.
If you would like to dive deeper into related topics, we invite you to check out our other blog posts.