THE Australian sheep industry's identification scheme has been heavily criticised in a major new report.
Prepared by former National Water Commissioner Ken Matthews on Australia's ability to cope with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, the report was last week made public after being kept secret by Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig.
Sheep traceability featured heavily among the report's 11 recommendations.
Mr Matthews said the National Livestock Identification System for sheep and goats was not up to scratch, with the sheep industry's mob-based and largely non-electronic systems "not capable of meeting the nationally agreed standards for livestock traceability".
"This is particularly concerning given the role sub-clinically infected sheep may play in moving the disease around the country," Mr Matthews said.
Traceability was the "next most important control after detection" in a foot and mouth outbreak, Mr Matthews said. "An effective whole-of-life traceability system for sheep in Australia is urgently needed ... in the event of an outbreak."
The review recommended the industry move towards "satisfactory traceability arrangements", and that options and recommendations be presented to the Primary Industries Ministerial Council within 12 months.
But Sheepmeat Council of Australia chief executive Ron Cullen said he did not see the Matthews report as criticism of the current traceability system.
"The council has long supported the current system of visual tags and paper-based tracking of sheep movements," Mr Cullen said. "A recent study of NLIS compliance in sheep and goats by NSW Department of Primary Industries shows there was 99 per cent compliance."
