The Australian sheep and goat industries continue to unite in the call for the continuation of the current mob-based tracing scheme under the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).
WoolProducers Australia (WPA), the Sheepmeat Council of Australia (SCA), the Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA), the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association (ALPA) and the Australian Livestock Markets Association (ALMA) have recently responded to the Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford, regarding the possible mandate of electronic radio frequency identification (eRFID) in the state.
SCA president Jeff Murray said: “The sheep and goat industries are united on this issue and are urging Minister Pulford to consider the huge financial burden and impracticalities to the entire supply chain should mandatory eRFIDs be imposed on the sheep and goat industries”.
He said while they supported individual producers’ right to use eRFID, the enormous costs and resources involved with implementing mandatory eRFID through the supply chain would “...far outweigh any benefits for the industry.”
“The responsibility for the NLIS is shared between industry and government,” Mr Murray said. “As yet, the industry hasn’t received a detailed proposal or information about a consultation process into any possible changes to the NLIS proposed by the Victorian Minister.”
WPA’s president Richard Halliday said the current system was simple, cost-effective and well-accepted by the industry.
“A consistent application of the already agreed national traceability standards by all states is crucial for the success of a national mob-based traceability system. The current system, with some increased compliance by both government and producers, is capable of achieving the desired traceability standards nationally,” Mr Halliday said.