Drafting lambs through the new EID scanner-equipped four-way draft at the Muchea Livestock Centre.

WESTERN Australia’s saleyards and processors will start scanning electronic identification ear tags in sheep, lambs and goats next week as part of the national traceability system rollout.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said the milestone is part of the phased introduction of the mandatory EID system in WA, that moves to full adoption by 1 July 2026.

The new system requires all sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025 onward to have EID tags. Sheep and goats born before 1 January 2025 will require an EID tag if departing a property or facility from 1 July 2026 onward.

The WA Meat Industry Authority (WAMIA) is leading the way with a tested three-way scanning system on a four-way draft at the Muchea Livestock Centre.

The system has been adapted to best fit the saleyard’s operations, following extensive testing and consultation during a pilot program. The WA Government provided $503,000 from its EID Infrastructure Grants Scheme to help WAMIA to purchase, install and retrofit the equipment.

DPIRD said the state’s $3.52 million grants scheme has funded EID installations at saleyards, abattoirs, export depots and feedlots across WA, alongside smaller allocations to community organisations, such as Community Resource Centres and grower groups.

WAMIA chief executive officer I-Lyn Loo said the new EID system would provide critical data to aid a swift and effective biosecurity response in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak or food safety incident.

“Following extensive consultation and testing, the new equipment that delivers critical traceability information has been integrated into existing systems – while making sure it’s functional for saleyard staff, agents and other stakeholders.

“Drawing on our extensive experience in scanning cattle and learnings from the Victorian experiences with equipment, we are ready to scan sheep and goats with EID tags from 1 July 2025,” she said.

DPIRD said the Western Australian Tag Incentive Payment discount it administers is supporting the State’s sheep and goat producers as they transition to the new system.

More than 5.8 million EID discounted tags have been sold to date, with the 75 cent per EID tag discount to remain in place for all National Livestock Identification System accredited white EID tags bought before 31 December 2025.

Each EID tag contains a microchip that is read via a scanning wand or panel reader, which is uploaded to the NLIS database to record an individual animal’s movements.

WA Sheep and Goat Advisory Group member and Sheep Producers director Elizabeth Jackson congratulated producers who have been proactive in adopting EID tags and accessing the incentive payment. This enabled the industry to start using the technology and test the complete system before it becomes mandatory, she said.

“The ready uptake of the EID tags demonstrates that producers are getting behind the new individual ID system to help safeguard their businesses and WA’s livestock industry.”

The WA EID system will come into full operation by 1 July 2026, when all sheep and goats will be required to be EID tagged before leaving any property or facility and will need to be scanned at the point of arrival.

For more information about the Tag Incentive Payment visit

www.dpird.wa.gov.au/eid-sheep-and-goats.

Assistance for sheep and goat producers is available by calling the DPIRD Helpdesk weekdays 9am – 5pm on 1300 926 547 (press Option 1) or via email [email protected].