22 October, 2014

Industry seeks greater detail from Ag Ministers about NLIS

The bodies representing the national sheep and goat supply-chain are seeking further clarification
on the future of the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) following todays
announcement by Minister Joyce.

The sheep and goat industry supply-chain continues its strong and united support for the current
mob-based system, which was demonstrated during the public consultation where fewer than 5%
of submissions supported mandatory electronic identification (EID).

The current system is cost-effective, well-accepted by industry and has demonstrated it can meet
national traceability performance standards.

The current system is a national approach committed to by all jurisdictions however Minister
Joyces statement seems to indicate that individual states can either enhance the current mob-
based system or implement mandatory electronic identification, which clearly is not a national
approach.

Minister Joyces statement was released on the back of yesterdays AgMin Forum consideration of
the Decision Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) on mandatory implementation of EID on the sheep
and goat industries.

The sheep and goat industries are extremely disappointed that they were not included in further
consultation or provided a copy of the Decision RIS before this decision was made.

The representative bodies will continue to seek greater clarity on this issue.

ENDS

Contact:
Jo Hall, WoolProducers Australia, 0488 554 811
Andy Madigan, Australian Livestock and Property Agents, 0412 075 853
Kat Ferme, Sheepmeat Council of Australia, (02) 62695610
Rick Gates, Goat Industry Council of Australia, (08) 8091 9464
Tony White, Australian Livestock Markets Association, 0427 975 633