CONTROVERSIAL changes to the National Livestock Identification System's tagging process for sheep and goats come into effect next week.
The new rules, which start on July 1, require sheep producers to record movement of animals between properties with different property identification codes.
This includes movements to agistment properties, regardless of who owns or leases them.
However, owners will not be required to record a flock-based movement on the database if they buy or sell sheep through a saleyard, send them direct to an abattoir, feedlot or export depot, or exhibit them at a show, as it will be done for them.
The current system relies on visual tags to record sheep movements and National Vendor Declarations, completed by producers, at the saleyards, and producers have not been required to record property to property transfers.
Sheepmeat Council of Australia president Kate Joseph said it was important producers and industry worked together to ensure the system worked.
"We believe the current system can work and that recording all mob-based movement of sheep is the best way. We believe the visual tagging system can work, and if it can't work then we have to go to electronic tagging where there are more costs involved." Mrs Joseph said.
"What we are trying to do is get a system that works and is cost effective."
Agriculture Minister Joe Helper last month said the Victorian Government would trial electronic tagging.
He told The Weekly Times there was evidence the visual tags and paper-tracing system "may not operate effectively in a disease emergency" and "(electronic) scanners work reliably".
Electronic scanners were installed at the Bendigo and Horsham saleyards last month, where trials of electronic NLIS sheep tags have been held in recent weeks.
However, critics remain unconvinced the system would operate effectively in a disease outbreak and will wait to see if the physical scanning of tags can be carried out at saleyards without disruption to the market and livestock movement.
The Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association are opposed to the Victorian Government's move towards electronic tagging.
Rural Marketing Agents, the representative body for independent agents, also maintains that the industry isn't ready for electronic NLIS for sheep.
"We'd need to put another person on for every sale day and many of the facilities can't cope with race readers," RMA general manager Michael O'Brien said.
