Livestock SA welcomes initial State Government funding commitment for eID transition
Livestock SA has welcomed the State Government’s announcement of key dates and the associated initial $9.3 million funding package, to assist producers and the broader industry start the transition towards mandatory sheep and goat eID in South Australia by January 2025.
Livestock SA Vice President, Allan Piggott said the organisation was pleased that the State Government has listened to industry in making its phase 1 commitment, which together with the Federal Government contribution, will assist the initial transition towards the 1 January 2025 ‘go live’ date.
“Confirmation that South Australia will adopt a staged implementation provides much needed certainty for businesses to plan and a more realistic timeline to work towards,” Mr Piggott said.
“The non negotiables for Livestock SA in any commitment were equitable funding across the supply chain to help cover the cost of installing essential infrastructure and recognition that producers will bear the majority of the costs associated with a mandatory eID system.”
“Under this phase 1 package, the commitment to cover 50% of the cost of eID devices for the next two years will help producers start to prepare their breeding flocks and herds for January 2027, when all farmed sheep and goat movements will require eID.”
“We also thank the Minister for recognising that some producers have already started tagging 2023 drop future breeding lambs and kids so they only need to handle stock once, with the tag rebate applying from 1 January 2023.”
“We support the 75% contribution towards essential eID infrastructure across the supply chain as everyone needs to have some skin in the game. For most producers it will be business as usual, as they will not need equipment to read tags, just the tags and an applicator.”
“We will continue to work with the State Government on the second stage of implementation and the support that will be required to enable a full transition to a mandatory eID system in South Australia.”
Key dates:
1 January 2025: All sheep and managed goats born on or after this date will require an eID device before leaving their birth property. Sheep and managed goats born before 1 January 2025 do not need eID to be sold during 2025 and 2026.
1 January 2027: All sheep and managed goats leaving property, irrespective of age, will require an eID device.
Tag rebate: Designed for breeding stock that will be retained to avoid doubling handling post 1 January 2027. Terminal lambs and kids do not need an eID device for the next 2 years (only after 1 January 2025).
For more information, visit the Livestock SA website on eID: www.livestocksa.org.au/eid
ENDS
Media Contact:
Travis Tobin, CEO, 0438 035 519