Australia-Electronic Sheep ear tags.

AUSTRALIA-ELECTRONIC EAR TAGS.

FEARS of mandatory electronic identification for sheep – or even two parallel systems – has sheep industry players jumping.

While so far there is no proposed legislation, Saleyards Operators of Australia executive officer, Tony White, said he feared Victorian Department of Primary Industries electronic tag research would spark legislation making the tags mandatory under that State’s rules for the sheep and goat National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).

He said producers he had spoken to had been worried about the cost of the tags, which at about $3 a tag (Allflex’s recomended retail price was $2.46) was roughly six per cent of the value of a sheep.

He said while they acknowledged the European Union (which found holes in Australia’s sheep industry traceability in a 2008 audit) was an important market, the extra cost would outweigh the gains.

"If a yard like Wagga could have 75,000 sheep a day it would be unworkable and impractical," Mr White said.

"Mob-based is the way to go as it can be done effectively."

ARGENTINE BEEF PACKERS S.A.

Acassuso 464 (1686)

Hurlingham, Buenos Aires

Argentina.

Tel/ Fax: (54-11)4665-4808

CUIT:30-70924658-1

SENASA N° 15900

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www.argentinebeef.org.ar