NSW Farmers has agreed on the mandatory electronic identification tags for sheep under the national traceability system for sheep and goats but noted that the tags should cost no more than $1 per piece.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the body agreed to the policy, providing in-principle support for the national traceability scheme after it was mandated by the previous government, but added that there was a need to set a maximum cost amid growing concern from producers.
However, the organisation stated that the in-principal support would be provided after several conditions were met, including reducing tag costs to an economically affordable level, the provision of financial assistance to farmers so they can invest in technology and the inclusion of equitable funding arrangements across the supply chain.
NSW Farmers also made it clear there must be financial support to implement traceability reform as they are currently worried about how much the scheme might cost their businesses.
“Farmers are rightly becoming increasingly concerned about the costs associated with implementing eID for sheep and goats, following the previous government’s mandating of the traceability system last year,” Martin added.
He noted that the Executive Council has studied what other state governments are providing their producers and calculated that a maximum price of $1 per tag is reasonable for the NSW Government to support, given that biosecurity benefits everyone, not just producers.
“Since the former government’s announcement of mandated electronic identification for sheep and goats in July 2022, we have been clear that there must be sufficient financial support made available for producers of these livestock,” Martin said.
“NSW Farmers is determined to secure financial assistance for farmers and the supply chain to invest in technology; to retain tag free pathways, and ensure the system be developed in consultation with producers,” he added.
