New South Wales Farmers have expressed concern that a recent government initiative will fall short of the necessary reforms for sheep and goat traceability. On March 14, 2024, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced a $2 million package aimed at providing discounts on electronic identification (eID) equipment. However, the package does not cover the cost of the tags themselves, leaving farmers responsible for purchasing eID tags for lambs and farmed kids across the state.
Xavier Martin, President of NSW Farmers, voiced disappointment over the government’s failure to extend the eID tag discount scheme. He emphasized that farmers are grappling with increasing costs associated with implementing the eID system. “We wrote to the state government back in October 2023 to request an extension to this eID tag discount scheme, but our calls for investment to reduce the costs and imposts of this transition have been left unanswered, once again,” Martin stated.
According to Martin, only 22.4 percent of sheep and goats passing through NSW’s saleyards last year had the required eID tags. This low compliance rate highlights the urgent need for substantial investment to meet the upcoming deadline for mandatory eID tags for all sheep and farmed goats. As input costs continue to rise and outpace inflation, farmers are facing significant financial challenges to comply with this government mandate.
Call for Comprehensive Measures
In addition to reinstating the eID tag discount scheme, Martin called for a range of other supportive measures. He emphasized the need for eID tag-free pathways for sheep moving directly from their property of birth to slaughter, stating that such initiatives are essential for the success of the traceability scheme.
“This is supposed to be about improving Australia’s biosecurity systems, but unless we see jurisdictional harmonization coupled with serious and continued investment for compliance, we have no confidence this scheme will succeed,” Martin added. His remarks reflect a broader frustration among farmers who feel their voices are not being heard by policymakers.
“It’s back to Macquarie Street for NSW Farmers, where we’ll once again advocate for what’s really needed to move forward with this traceability mandate,” Martin concluded. The urgency of the situation is evident, as farmers await a more comprehensive response from the government to ensure the viability of the traceability reforms.
