SHEEP producers have been warned to lift their tagging game or be forced to use electronic devices.
The Victorian branch of the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association met in Bendigo last week to cement its members' position on identification of sheep.
ALPA chief executive Andy Madigan said the meeting clarified details on NLIS for sheep and goats, including a move by the Federal Government to set up a committee to look at electronic tagging.
But Mr Madigan said the issue was with producers who needed to improve compliance.
"If producers don't get it right, radio frequency identification devices may be forced on them and all of us," he said.
Mr Madigan said the ALPA position was the NLIS sheep and goats system could work with more effort by producers.
He said it was not the role of ALPA to enforce legislation or fine producers if they did not fill out National Vendor Declarations correctly, or ensure tags were on sheep.
"The legislators could fine producers though for breaking the laws if the sheep sent in are not compliant," he said.
Mr Madigan said some government departments thought agents should be enforcing the NLIS rules.
"If they think it is so easy for agents to do it, then why don't they do it themselves?" he said.
"We've made it clear it's not our role. We have a fiduciary role or a financial duty to the vendor. They pay us to sell stock."
He said ALPA's position was to not support electronic tagging until more work was done and he questioned whether they could provide "a silver bullet for industry".
"If producers won't put a 30c tag in a sheep's ear now, then what are the chances of them spending $1 on an electronic tag?" Mr Madigan said.
Victorian Department of Primary Industries animal biosecurity and welfare director Tony Britt said agents had an obligation under the Livestock Disease Control Act to sell stock compliant with tracing systems such as NLIS.
"Those legal obligations include producers and agents," Dr Britt said.
"We do audit saleyards, send warning letters and prosecute people, but it requires intensive resources to monitor."
