The alarm caused by the threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on Australian shores has rippled through the agriculture industry, with authorities working fast to implement increased biosecurity measures where possible. The scare has drawn attention to what could be an insufficient traceability scheme for sheep, leading to a sheep and goat traceability task force being established Australia-wide. 

While traceability of livestock in Australia has long been considered a world leader, the current National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) isn’t consistent across Australia, despite it being a requirement in all states and territories. 

Currently, NLIS in Australia includes the electronic identification of individual animals to allow tracing of cattle, but relies on a mob-based system for tracing the movements of sheep. 

An indication by government that they will shift towards an individual e-tag system for sheep has not been enthusiastically received and NSW Farmers Sheepmeat Committee chair Jenny Bradley said that the agriculture body’s support for a national mandatory individual electronic identification (eID) system is ‘conditional’.



“The people pushing this reform need to remember that farmers produce food and fibre for people, and any move that reduces production will drive up prices for consumers,” Mrs Bradley said. 

Mrs Bradley said she worries that a reform - while useful - could include costs that could have a ‘serious chilling effect’ on farm productivity. 

“Our members want to see affordable tags, financial assistance to adopt new technologies and a staged roll-out to ensure farmers aren’t left bearing the burden of these reforms,” she said.

“The sheep industry cannot afford to underestimate the value of having a robust traceability system that underpins our trade markets – we just want to make sure it is practical, affordable and fit-for-purpose.” 

Sheep Producers Australia CEO Bonnie Skinner said industry has been calling for a national electronic ID scheme for sheep.

“The rapid and reliable tracing of livestock plays a significant part in emergency disease response - the faster animals are traced the greater the chance of controlling the disease outbreak and minimising its economic and social effects,” Ms Skinner said. 

“This is critical, because the value of what we produce is defined by our capacity to export and that capacity is underpinned by our national traceability system,” she said. 

The new taskforce, Governments and industry are working together towards a mandatory national traceability system using eID for sheep and goats by 1 January 2025.