Premier

Stepping Up Sheep And Goat Traceability Requirements

01 October 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is boosting traceability standards to protect Victoria’s $6.7 billion livestock industry.

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford announced today that action and performance levels for Victorian sheep and goat saleyards and processing facilities will be increased from 80 to 90 per cent from 31 March next year.

Levels were originally set at 80 per cent to facilitate a smooth transition for industry to the new electronic National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) for sheep and goats.

Most saleyards and processors are already achieving read rates close to 100 per cent of the electronic NLIS tags on sheep and goats, so the impact of raising these levels is expected to be minimal.

Industry has embraced the new system, with scanning infrastructure and software installed in all sheep selling saleyards and processing plants, supported by the Labor Government’s $17 million transition package.

The phased implementation of electronic identification, supported by the Sheep and Goat Identification Advisory Committee, has allowed saleyards, agents and processors to adapt without major disruption to established practices.

Victoria is the first state in Australia to introduce mandatory electronic identification for sheep and goats, which will provide trading partners with increased confidence in the safety and origin of Victorian products – protecting and enhancing access to expanding and profitable local and export markets.

The Labor Government will continue to support saleyards and processors through the transition.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford

“Victoria’s sheep and goat industries have embraced the transition to electronic identification and are exceeding current action and performance levels – that’s why we’re lifting them.”

‘Most saleyards and abattoirs are already reading close to 100 per cent of the electronic NLIS tags on sheep and goats, so the impact of raising these levels is expected to be minimal.”

“Victoria is leading the way with this critical reform and our sheep and goat industries should be commended for the way in which they have embraced the change and made a successful transition to the electronic system.”

Quote attributable to Chair of the Sheep and Goats Identification Advisory Committee Stuart McLean

“Increasing action levels for saleyards and processors on the 31st March 2019 will be very attainable by the industry, particularly with six months to prepare and plan for these changes.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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