Livestock movement records

A movement record is a compulsory document that must be created when animals are moved between properties in Queensland. It identifies the owner of the animals being moved, describes the animals being moved and provides details of the movement.

The purpose of a movement record is to allow animals to be traced in the event of a disease. Movement records are a tool used by Biosecurity Queensland to investigate where a disease may have originated from or spread to. These records benefit livestock owners by reducing the time frame when we assess the risk of a disease.

When you need a movement record

You need to create a movement record when moving cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, bison, buffalo, deer, members of the Camelidae family (alpacas, camels, llamas), the Equidae family (horses, donkeys, mules, zebras), designated birds and bees. A designated bird is a captive bird that is kept for human consumption or to produce eggs for human consumption; or has been released for free flight since it started be to be kept in captivity e.g. racing pigeon.

You also need a movement record when receiving animals onto your property. You must either create a movement record or take a copy of the existing movement record that includes the required details.

Creating a movement record

The registered biosecurity entity (RBE) keeping the animal must ensure that a movement record is created before the animal can be moved. A movement record can be completed in hard copy or electronically and must include the following details:

• name of person completing the record
• where the animal(s) are being moved from
• where the animal(s) are being moved to and the name and address of the person receiving the animal
• the date of movement
• species and breed of animal being moved
• description of the animal or group of animals.

Movement records for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, bison, buffalo, alpacas and llamas must also:

• be signed by the individual completing the record, unless it is created and kept in electronic form only
• have a serial number that is unique for the record
• clearly state the property identification code (PIC) shown on any approved device that does not include a microchip that is fitted to the animal.

A copy of the completed movement record must accompany the following animal(s) being moved:

• cattle
• sheep
• goats
• pigs
• bison
• buffalo
• alpacas
• llamas
• horses moving between cattle tick zones.

A movement record for other members of the Camelidae family (camels, guanacos, vicunas), the Equidae family (horses, donkeys, mules, zebras) moving within Queensland cattle tick zones, designated birds and bees does not have to be in the possession of the person moving the animals.

These records must be kept for 2 years after the event.

Event organisers and movement records

If you are organising an event that involves animals you must record the following information:

• details of the place from which the animal(s) came from and the name and address of the person that delivered the horse before the event
• details of the place the animal(s) is being moved to and the name and address of the person that received the animal(s) after the event
• description of the animal(s)
• date of the event
• when the animal(s) arrived and left the event.

For sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas and llamas that are not fitted with an electronic approved device, the event organiser must record the PIC shown on the device of the animal.

These records must be kept for 2 years after the event.

Storing movement records

A copy of the movement record must be kept by the person completing it and the person receiving the following animals for 5 years after the movement:

• cattle
• sheep
• goats
• pigs
• bison
• buffalo
• alpacas
• llamas
• horses moving between cattle tick zones.

A movement record for other members of the Camelidae family (camels, guanacos, vicunas), the Equidae family (horses, donkeys, mules, zebras), designated birds and bees must be kept by the person completing it and the person receiving the animals for 2 years after the movement.

Types of movement records

A movement record can be in any format (electronic or hardcopy). Some examples of different types of movement records are:

• diary or logbook entries
• notepads or exercise books
• emails
• text messages
• Excel spreadsheets
• movement record template (this is a template that can be used for all animals - some information may not be required for horse movements)
• horse health declarations.

A National Vendor Declaration (NVD) is the preferred form of movement record when selling or moving cattle, sheep and goats. A PigPass is the preferred form when moving pigs.

Documents that are completed under the law of another state or territory that are similar to Queensland requirements may also be used as movement records.