AUSTRALIA.TAGGING SHEEP.
Meat processors may have a typical no-fuss solution to the tagging impasse facing the nation’s sheepmeat industry.
Trials are about to begin using a system that appears almost too simple to believe.
By numbering the links on the physical chain that moves through the abattoir, processors believe they will be able to monitor and therefore track mobs or lots of animals through to post-mortem inspection.
By recording the number of sheep or carcases in a lot and the chain links they are held on, traceability is achieved beyond the point of decapitation, according to Australia’s biggest sheep processor, Roger Fletcher, of Fletcher International Exports.
The numbers are recorded at two points along the kill chain by workers using touch screen technology.
Such a system would bypass the need for expensive radio frequency tagging and scanners at farms, saleyards and processing works and deliver adequate traceability, according to Mr Fletcher.
"It was an idea that came from one of the blokes on the kill chain here at Dubbo," he said.
"It allows us to follow through post mortem well after the plastic eartags come off.
"If the tags are right then this system will be right.
"It looks foolproof to me and a possible circuit breaker to the issue, but we need to do more trials."
Major international clients in Europe are asking the Australian meat industry to be able to trace for individual animals to the last property of residence until the carcase is fit for human consumption.
Australia presently supplies nearly 19,000 tonnes of high value cuts into the EU, but the surrounding countries take significant tonnages and they also expect European standards of traceability also.
Mr Fletcher said the loss of the market due to traceability issues would be a disaster for the sheep industry but a simple solution such as this may well fit the bill.
"I am sure we can make this work but the system has to be simple and cost effective for everyone," he said.
"Australia has a very good reputation as a sheepmeat supplier and this wont change."
Farmers, agents, exporters, processors and saleyard operators are currently confused at to what is required and the direction of the National Livestock Identification System.
Sheepmeat Council has stated it is standing by the system of mob-based movement recording at saleyards, paper vendor declarations and transaction tagging, however both European Union audits and Australian trials have shown deficiencies in a paper-based system.
In response, the Victorian government and now the saleyards association of Victoria are promoting electronic tagging as an obvious and practical solution, one which could see that state take a larger share of high-value export markets.
This week the Victorian Government announced it would now subsidise the cost of electronic tags even further, making them available for $1 as opposed to their market value of $2.50-$3.00.
The government also has a dollar-for-dollar grant available for up to $2500 to assist those purchasing readers, software and technical support.
However, the Sheepmeat Council has fought against the push, stating it would rather see producers decide on whether to move towards e-tagging rather than governments, particularly given the high costs associated with a move towards electronic tagging.
Mr Fletcher agreed, questioning how long the subsidy would last in Victoria and the cost of the technology after the subsidies were lifted.
"I am hoping our system may prove to be a more cost effective disease control measure," he said.
