Sheep running through the EID scanning system at the Bendigo saleyards.

THE NSW Government has committed a further $1.4 million to support eligible saleyards in their preparations for mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification across the state.

The NSW Government previously announced a $38 million support package for producers, agents, saleyards and processors. This package supported the industry-wide transition and implementation of NSW’s robust biosecurity measures.

The first round one of the NSW Sheep and Goat EID Infrastructure Rebate received 30 applications, with and $5 million approved for saleyards, out of the saleyards funding stream. The NSW Department of Primary Industries said this has supported the delivery of vital EID infrastructure that is now being rolled out in saleyards.

The additional funding will allow saleyards to ensure that their EID infrastructure is fit for purpose before the implementation of mandatory EID on January 1 2025, NSW DPI said.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said the NSW Government knows sheep and farmed goat saleyards across the state will need to complete some significant improvements to infrastructure to be ready for mandatory EID from 1 January 2025.

“I’m pleased that a further rebate from our $38 million commitment to the sheep and goat industry can be utilised by saleyards to be prepared for this important milestone in NSW’s EID implementation plan.

“This additional program for eligible saleyards reflects how the government is continually collaborating with the industry to transition to mandatory EID in sheep and goats, we will continue to work closely with industry to achieve this supply chain transition,” she said.

“The NSW Government is committed to maintaining our strong biosecurity record, demonstrated by our financial support for sheep and farmed goat EID – the largest of any jurisdiction in Australia.”

Applications to access the further funding will open Monday, 29 April 2024 and close on Monday, 3 June 2024.

The government said previous saleyard applicants from the recent Sheep and Goat EID Infrastructure Rebate Scheme are encouraged to sign up to the Sheep and Goat EID newsletter to receive further updates.

Key dates for mandatory EID for sheep and farmed goats in NSW

30 June 2024 – Mandatory processor EID scanning and upload.

1 January 2025 – Mandatory EID for all sheep and farmed goats born from this date, prior to leaving property of birth, mandatory EID scanning and upload by saleyards and depots and mandatory EID property-to-property transfers.

1 January 2027 – Mandatory EID for all sheep and farmed goats prior to leaving any property.