Response to the proposed introduction of RFID tags for sheep and goats in Victoria

Livestock SA is very concerned at the proposal the Victorian Government has made to mandate the use of electronic tags in sheep and goats, and the impact it will have on producers and the movement of livestock between the two States. Livestock SA believes there will be an immediate impact in the South East of South Australia and Western Victoria saleyards, which will impact not only the regional economies in these areas, but the economy of both States. In SA there are good programs in place, such as abattoir surveillance, and it would be a retrograde step to move away from what currently works well. While the use of RFID tags can lead to productivity gains, Livestock SA believes it should not be mandatory.