WA’s EID sheep/goat tag discount has been extended.

WESTERN Australia’s electronic identification tag incentive scheme for sheep and goat producers has been extended into 2024.

WA’s Cook Government last week said the Tag Incentive Payment scheme, that provides a 75 cent discount per EID tag, will be extended to black EID tags sold in 2024 to help producers adapt to the new EID requirements.

To date, more than 2.2 million sky blue EID tags for sheep and goats born in 2023 have been sold in Western Australia, supported by a $1.8 million commitment from the State Government.

WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said the Cook Government support will aid a smooth transition to the new national EID system for sheep and goats, that will strengthen our biosecurity measures.

“The infrastructure grants will help livestock operators implement the EID technology required and extends the Tag Incentive Payment scheme to assist producers to continue purchasing discounted year-of-birth EID tags.

“This will be particularly useful for producers sending stock to saleyards or processors, where the scanning of EID-tagged sheep and goats will commence from 1 July 2025,” she said.

Grants from the Cook Government are now available to help sheep and goat supply chain operators transition to a new national electronic identification (EID) system.

The first round of grants will support eligible saleyards, abattoirs, registered feedlots, export depots and livestock agents to integrate EID technology and equipment into their businesses.

The grants can be used to purchase scanners, readers, wands, essential tools and materials, as well as undertake limited works to incorporate the EID technology.

A second round of funding will open in early 2024 to support additional downstream providers, including other feedlots, seasonal operators, agricultural colleges and community organisations.

Western Australia’s EID Infrastructure grants program is part of the State Government’s $25.6 million commitment toward the adoption of a nationally agreed sheep and goat EID system.

For more information on the Tag Incentive Payment, eID Infrastructure Grants and eID implementation visit https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/livestock-movement-identification/electronic-identification-sheep-and-goats.