NSW sheep and goat producers will benefit from a fresh injection of funding to help offset the cost of electronic identification (eID) tags, as the state continues its rollout of mandatory livestock traceability reforms.

Recently, Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty announced an additional $4 million to extend the Sheep and Goat eID Tag Discount Program until 31 December 2025, or until funds are exhausted.

The funding provides a subsidy of $0.76 (including GST) per eligible NLIS-accredited white 2025 eID tag for sheep and goats.

She said the rollout of eID tags is “an important plank in the Government’s biosecurity plans,” explaining that it is “about protecting our export markets, about protecting against exotic disease and it is about protecting the livelihood of farmers and their families.”

Ms Moriarty added that she was pleased to see strong uptake and support for the program since January 1.

"This additional funding will ensure more producers are supported during the implementation process,” helping NSW producers “lead the world in biosecurity safety and maintain their export premiums,” Ms Moriarty said.

eID tags became mandatory on January 1 this year for all sheep and goats born from that date.

Since November 2024, around 9.8 million tags have been purchased, with more than 800,500 scanned in saleyards so far this year.

Approximately 15.5 per cent of sheep and goats coming through saleyards in 2025 are already equipped with an eID.

Since January 1, saleyards have been required to scan eID devices in sheep and goats, and producers must use them for movements of animals born from that date.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin welcomed an extension of funding for eID tags but said government must also commit to further funding after the end of 2025.

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has supported the rollout with a wide range of activities, attending 895 industry events across 204 locations since

January 2024, launching online and in-person training workshops, and developing stories showing the practical application of eID on farms.

NSW Farmers has welcomed the announcement of the funding extension

President Xavier Martin said that "this system is going to be the one that works, then the industry that has to use it needs to be supported appropriately."

"We’re far from the end of the road to traceability reform, and it’s good to see Minister Moriarty recognise this," he said.

However, he warned that the state government must continue to fund the discount program beyond December 2025 to ensure a successful transition.

“The NSW Government must commit to future funding for eID devices so that costs are lowered throughout the entire transition period, and producers can adapt to this major change,” he said.

"We need more funding for tags from the state and federal governments, and more consideration of the other pathways that exist to ensure costs are kept down for producers through this transition,”

"It’s governments who mandated this traceability system, and therefore, it’s governments who must continue to properly support producers with transitioning to it.”

Ms Moriarty said the Government will continue working with producers, agents, sale yards and processors to implement eID in their operations.