Lambs with electronic EID or RFID tags.

NEW South Wales sheep and goat producers and marketers have been reminded mandatory electronic identification will take effect from 1 January 2025, as some stakeholders continue to oppose the nationwide development.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has reminded the industry stakeholders of the key requirements of mandatory electronic identification.

The key requirements include:

– Mandatory use of EID devices such as tags for all sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025, prior to leaving the property of birth

– For property-to-property movements, any sheep or goats with an EID device must be scanned, and the entire movement uploaded to the NLIS database

– Saleyards and goat depots need to scan EIDs and record individual livestock sheep and goat movements on the NLIS database.

NSW DPIRD Director of Sheep and Goat Traceability, Kiowa Fenner, said the introduction of mandatory EID for sheep and goats represents a significant step forward in biosecurity and livestock management for the NSW sheep and goat industry.

“If you move or sell lambs or kids born next year, they will need an EID device before departure.”

The NSW Government has put in place a staggered implementation of EID to assist understanding and awareness, with EID-enabled monitoring of all sheep and goat movements not be required until 1 January 2027.

DPIRD said the implementation is on track, with processors already having commenced scanning EIDs and uploading EID data to the NLIS database from 30 June 2024.

Ms Fenner said we have been actively working with saleyards and stock agents across the state, to ensure they are ready for the changes on 1 January 2025.

“The infrastructure installations at saleyards are almost complete across the state and they are already testing these upgrades as animals with EID tags are sold to ensure they are ready for sale come 1 Jan 2025,” she said.

“NSW DPIRD has also been working to provide producers with the resources and practical skills to make the switch to EID, with workshops and presentations across the state continuing in 2025.

“Producers are encouraged to begin preparing for the shift to eID and for many this will be as simple as simply purchasing EID devices rather than visual tags for their lambs and kids next year,” Ms Fenner said.

“When you purchase white 2025 NLIS-accredited devices from your preferred retailer, you will receive a $0.76 discount under the NSW Tag Discount Program until 31 October 2025 or until funds are exhausted.

“Further to that, there are some great resources available on our website, including online training, details of upcoming events, and real stories from people who use EID in their operations.”

Ms Fenner said NSW DPIRD will continue to engage with industry stakeholders and provide ongoing support, resources, and updates leading up to the mandatory start date.

PAWD continues to oppose EID plan

The Pastoralists’ Association of West Darling is continuing to oppose the implementation of the EID system, and has canvassed industry bodies and the NSW Government to:

 Fix existing issues with National Vendor Declarations, the eNVD App and the myMLA eNVD portal

 Link electronic NVDs and the National Livestock Identification System Database

 Adopt a visual tag option for direct to slaughter from property of birth movements

 Adopt cheaper, technologically superior UHF tags

PAWD councillor Lachlan Gall said the body has not had any success building support for its position among decision makers.

“But at grassroots level the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly supportive.

“Some weeks ago we sent letters (that are substantially the same) to Minister Moriarty and Sheep Producers Australia — we have not received responses,” he said.

“Sheep Producers confirmed receipt of our letter and promised a response, to which they have subsequently received a reminder message.

“To the best of our knowledge, at no stage has Sheep Producers engaged with grassroots producers about EID – they certainly haven’t engaged with PAWD,” Mr Gall said.

Mr Gall said PAWD had connected with Agriscan principal Tom Gunthorpe, who has dedicated ten years to developing UHF electronic identification solutions for livestock and the minister has undertaken to contact him.

“We will continue to fight for the changes to EID.”

For more information on sheep and goat EID requirements or to access resources on the implementation process, producers are encouraged to visit the NSW DPIRD website – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi/bfs/your-role-in-biosecurity/primary-producers/nlis/eID