DPIRD WA has extended the EID tag discount for sheep and goats into 2025.

WESTERN Australia’s electronic ear tag discount for sheep and goat producers will now apply to 2025 white tags to support a smooth transition to the new national EID traceability system.

The 75-cent Western Australian Tag Incentive Payment discount has been extended to support the state’s sheep and goat producers, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said.

The first step in the phased introduction of the mandatory system in WA will commence on 1 January 2025, moving to full operation by 1 July 2026.

DPIRD said the system is being introduced to enable traceability and enhance a rapid response to an emergency animal disease or food safety incident, as well as underpin valuable trade relationships and export markets.

Since the TIP scheme inception in April 2023, more than 4 million EID tags have been sold under the WA program.

The 75 cent discount per EID tag will remain unchanged for all National Livestock Identification System accredited white EID tags from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

DPIRD chief veterinary officer Michelle Rodan commended producers on their uptake of the new EID tags, which she said would aid a smooth transition to the new mandatory system.

“The early adoption has enabled industry to start using the EID technology and test the complete system before it becomes mandatory.

“I congratulate WA producers who have been proactive in adopting the EID tags and moving to better protect their businesses and the broader industry from the impact of an emergency animal disease,” Dr Rodan said.

Under the staged implementation of the scheme in WA, sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025 onward will be required to be fitted with a year-of-birth EID tag.

Those born before 1 January 2025 will require an EID tag when departing any property or facility from 1 July 2026. Visual tags for stock born prior to 1 January 2025 can still be used for movement purposes until 1 July 2026.

Saleyards and abattoirs will be required to scan any EID tagged sheep and goats from 1 July 2025.

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 the property and scanned at the point of arrival.

For more information about the Tag Incentive Payment visit www.agric.wa.gov.au/EID-sheep-and-goats(link is external).

Sopurce – DPIRD.