Surge in uptake of eID tags in Tasmania

AS THE deadline for Electronic Identification (eID) tagging for all sheep and goats looms, new data from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Tasmania reveals a surge in the uptake of the government’s eID tag rebate scheme for Tasmanian sheep farmers. 

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said all states and territories are working towards a harmonised framework and implementation timeline for a national sheep and goat traceability system, from 1 January 2025. 

In the period from 1 June – 24 September 2024 a total of 856,360 sheep tags and 264 goat tags have been sold, representing approximately $856,624 dollars in tag rebates paid to producers through the Government’s support scheme.

“The decision to move nationally to electronic identification for sheep and goats was made by all Agriculture Ministers to improve our ability to trace animals in the event of emergency diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease and to maintain our access to international markets for sheep and goat meat and wool,” Ms Howlett said.

“Traceability through eIDs will further protect our agriculture industry and is a valuable on-farm and off-farm tool."

However, while producers are undertaking the new tagging requirements, some, like Midlands sheep farmer George Gatenby, express concerns about the reliance on electric tags especially on farms with poor connectivity.

Mr Gatenby also noted that the previous system was working, especially for wool producers and questioned the economic benefit of the tagging.

"There are millions of dollars in subsidies, but is this the best use of those funds?” 

“Would that money be better spent on other biosecurity measures?”