Sheep and farmed goat rebate supports SA producers in meeting new eID requirements

The Government of South Australia is assisting sheep and farmed goat producers transition from the visual mob-based traceability system to electronic identification (eID) in line with national eID requirements coming into effect from 1 January 2025. South Australian sheep and farmed goat producers can now access a rebate for eligible eID tags purchased between 1 January and 31 December 2023.

South Australian producers can receive a 50% rebate on the purchase price of eID tags, up to a cap of $0.95 (GST exclusive) for each eligible tag.

Tags must be National Livestock Identification System (NLIS)-accredited and be the correct year-of-birth colour for 2023 (sky blue). The rebate is focussed on year of birth colour to target breeding stock that will be retained on property.

To qualify for the rebate, producers need an active property identification code (PIC) registered with PIRSA and must be able to provide proof of payment. All purchases must have been made between 1 January and 31 December 2023.

For many producers, the only change needed to comply with the new requirements will be switching from visual tags to eID tags. Terminal lambs born prior to 1 January 2025 do not require an eID tag. A visual NLIS tag will satisfy NLIS requirements for animals born before this date.

eID tags contain a radio frequency identifier (RFID) microchip that allows sheep and farmed goats to be individually identified and traced through the supply chain via the NLIS database.

eID is an important step towards ensuring accuracy and efficiency of livestock traceability. The faster and more accurately animals are traced, the faster we can respond to and recover from a disease outbreak such as foot and mouth disease (FMD). Improving our traceability system will strengthen market access for our sheep and goat industries and greatly reduce the financial impact across the supply chain if an emergency animal disease event occurred.

Applications for the sheep and goat eID Device Rebate (2023) are open until 5 pm, 30 April 2024.

Learn more about eID implementation and the eID Device Rebate: https://pir.sa.gov.au/eid-rebate.