Tas farmers say no to electronic IDs for sheep and goats

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association is opposed to a national proposal that would make it mandatory for individual sheep and goats to be identified using an electronic radio frequency system (RFID) tag.

The TFGA argues that the present national livestock identification system is more than adequate and achieves traceability of livestock back to the farm.

The move for individual identification using RFID tags comes from the Standing Council on Primary Industries, representing all governments. It advocates the individual system be introduced next year, despite a substantial investment of resources and funding.

The TFGA wants Tasmanian Primary Industries Minister Bryan Green to oppose it.

“The TFGA’s position is that the mandatory introduction of RFID identification and recording of individual sheep is an unnecessary cost and administrative burden on the industry and we are opposed to this,” chief executive Jan Davis said today.

“Nationally, it will cost producers millions of dollars despite having no appreciable benefits to biosecurity traceability. It also requires millions to be spent in modifying sale yards and abattoirs.”

“Farmers are price takers operating in very low margin environments. Any additional costs will threaten the ongoing viability of individual operators.”
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis