Property identification is important for tracing and controlling disease, managing residue issues that may be detected after leaving a property as well as locating properties and owners that have livestock in the event a disease outbreak may threaten their property/business.

A Property Identification Code (commonly referred to as a 'PIC') is an eight-character code allocated by the Victorian Government to a property that is keeping livestock.

Victorian PICs begin with the numeral '3', followed by four letters and three more numerals, for example, 3ABCD123.

The first two letters identify the municipality of the property.

A single PIC can be allocated to a property consisting of more than one block of land, provided the blocks are part of the one enterprise and are within the same municipality or in adjacent localities.

PICs can include land where livestock is agisted and/or land that is leased.

Individuals must have a PIC for the properties on which they graze the following livestock: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas, llamas, deer, camels, more than 50 poultry (i.e. domesticated fowl, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, pigeons, quail or pheasants) or 10 or more emus or ostriches.

All livestock businesses (saleyards, cattle scales, abattoirs, knackeries and stock agents) must also have a livestock PIC.

Horse owners with horses on their own property and owners of properties where horses are agisted must also have a PIC.

There are two options for people to apply for a PIC by visiting www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/pic

You can also use the online service to update your existing PIC details if they have changed or download an application form.

Contact the Agriculture Victoria NLIS Helpline on 1800 678 779.

There is no cost to apply for or receive a PIC.

For further information regarding PICs please contact the Agriculture Victoria Customer Service Centre on 136 186, or the website at https://bit.ly/2yxfiCr

Dr Jeff Cave is a District Veterinary Officer with Agriculture Victoria