WA saleyards, abattoirs launch eID scanning starts as new traceability system to protect livestock ramps up

WA saleyards and abattoirs will start scanning electronic identification tags for sheep and goats next week, as part of the staged launch of a new national traceability system. From July 1, all sheep and goats born on or after January 1, 2025, will need to have the electronic identification tags — or eID. Farmers presenting sheep or goats born after that date will no longer be able to use visual tags, which will still be accepted for animals born before that date, for another year. From July 1, 2026, no stock will be able to leave a farmer’s property without an eID tag — including any animals born prior to January 1, 2025 — but the State Government says it will take an educational approach. The new scanning system for sheep and goats is up and running at Muchea Livestock Centre, with the Allflex three-way draft scanning system funded through the WA Government’s eID infrastructure grants program. The program — worth $26.5m — was set up to help WA’s sheep and goat industries transition to mandatory eID, with a phased introduction now under way before the system is fully operational by July 1, 2026. WAMIA chief executive I-Lyn Loo said the scanner — which cost $503,000 to install and retrofit — could read multiple animals simultaneously and was compatible with a variety of eID tags. She said the system would provide critical data to have a swift and effective biosecurity response, in the event of an emergency animal welfare disease outbreak or food safety incident. “The new equipment . . . has been integrated into existing systems, while making sure it is functional for saleyard staff, agents and other stakeholders,” she said. Muchea’s three-way drafting system enables all sheep to pass through a series of panels, and the eID tags in sheep or goats are picked up, scanned onto a tablet, and transferred to the office. That data is then provided to the National Livestock Identification Service. WA Sheep and Goat Advisory Group member Elizabeth Jackson, who is also a director with Sheep Producers, commended producers on their uptake of the new tags. “Producers who have been proactive in adopting eID tags and accessing the incentive payment . . . have enabled industry to start using the technology and test the complete system before it becomes mandatory,” she said. “The ready update demonstrates that producers are getting behind the new individual ID system to help safeguard their businesses and WA’s livestock industry.” The transition to mandatory eID was announced by Australia’s agriculture ministers nearly three years ago in a bid to improve biosecurity and enhance export trade opportunities. WA initially agreed to a January 2025 deadline, but the Cook Government announced an 18-month reprieve in October to help farmers with the soaring cost of business. More than 5.8 million eID tags for sheep and goats have been bought by WA farmers with the aid of a State Government grant providing a 75c discount on all electronic ear tags sold in WA. The WA Tag Incentive Payment discount is set to remain in place for all NLIS accredited white eID tags bought before December 31. DPIRD sheep and goat eID project manager Michael Britton told ABC the price of eID tags had reduced in recent years and could fall further. “When the scheme first started, an eID tag — without the government discount — would cost about $2 per head, compared to about 30c for a visual tag,” he said. “We implemented the discount scheme, of 75c, bringing the cost to about $1.25. More recently, we have seen tags down around 95c to $1. They have come down significantly.” Electronic identification is already mandatory for Australian cattle. Victoria is the only State to have introduced compulsory eID for sheep, with all other States and Territories still using visual tag mob-based systems. A new government-led Sheep and Goat Traceability Task Force was set up by the National Biosecurity Committee, to provide oversight of the national rollout and advise senior officials and agriculture ministers. Sheep and goat producers wanting advice can phone the DPIRD helpdesk between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, at 1300 926 547 or email eIDTeam@dpird.wa.gov.au