What is an eID?
Electronic identification (eID) devices, also called ‘eID devices’ allow individual identification of animals. The devices have a Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) microchip, which has a distinctive 16-digit internal serial number, also known as an RFID number. When scanned by a handheld wand or panel reader, this RFID number can be electronically recorded. The RFID is linked to an external visual code (NLIS ID) that is the unique visual identifier for the tagged animal. Both the RFID serial number and the NLIS ID are connected in the NLIS database to uniquely identify individual animals.
Only devices accredited by Integrity Systems Company (ISC) can be used in sheep and goats in NSW to meet eID NLIS requirements. Accredited devices will have the NLIS logo printed on them.
Why is eID being implemented?
The implementation of eID in sheep and goats is aimed at enhancing traceability and biosecurity within the livestock industry. eID enhances the ability to identify and trace individual food and fibre producing animals and their products by:
- Providing more accurate and timely traceability of animals
- Improving the ability of authorities to respond quickly to disease outbreaks or food safety concerns
- Reducing the number of animals and producers impacted (including animals destroyed) in response to an emergency disease
- Reducing the time that Australia is restricted from export markets following an emergency disease or residue incident.
A 2020 traceability exercise by SAFEMEAT found that only 70% of slaughtered sheep identified with visual tags with the mob-based system could be traced back to the vendor/s or property/s of residence for the previous 30 days within a 24 hour period, whereas 99.64% of slaughtered sheep with an eID device could be traced back to the vendor/s or property/s of residence over the same period.
The Victorian eID experience has also shown that traceback now takes a matter of hours, whereas for a visual tag mob-based system it previously took days.
How does eID improve traceability?
Electronic identification enhances traceability by providing a systematic and efficient means of tracing and identifying individual animals throughout their lifecycle by:
- Physical locations/properties are individually identified by unique Property Identification Codes (PICs)
- Animals are individually identified with unique eID devices printed with the PIC they were born on
- Movements of animals are individually identified with a unique movement document (National Vendor Declaration, or Transported Stock Statement)
- This is all accurately recorded through a national database known as the NLIS database by reporting individual animal eID devices, the unique PICs they were moved between, and the unique movement document serial number.
This enables quick and accurate retrieval of information in the event of a disease outbreak or a food safety concern, providing improved supply chain confidence.
This video, “Where’s Woolly”, shows the difference between previous mob-based NLIS movements and individual eID device based movements.
“Where’s Woolly”, was created by the industry-governments’ co-design group supporting the Sheep and Goat Traceability Taskforce in November 2022.
Who is affected by the transition to sheep and goat eID in NSW?
The introduction of eID for sheep and goats will affect all individuals and businesses in New South Wales involved in owning or trading one or more sheep or goats.
This includes all owners of sheep and goats such as:
- Pet sheep or goats
- Mobile petting zoos
- Hobby farms
- Commercial sheep and goat producers
This also includes businesses involved in the trading of sheep and goats such as:
- Livestock agents
- Saleyards
- Livestock depots
- Abattoirs
- Knackeries
- Hire of stock for vegetation management
There are some specific situations where an eID device will not be required, such as:
Sheep and goats that never leave their property of birth: If you have any sheep or goats that never leave their property of birth for any reason, they are not required to have an eID device applied. This may be for sheep and goats kept as pets or kept for on-farm processing and consumption. If they leave your property for any reason, such as an emergency trip to the vet, they must have an eID device attached.
Harvested rangeland goats: Approved movements of harvested rangeland goats (HRG) are still able to occur without an eID device as long as the goat(s):
- have been captured from a wild state
- have not been born through managed breeding
- have not been subjected to any animal husbandry procedures or treatments
- are transported direct to a processor for slaughter, or
- are transported direct to one registered depot, and subsequently to processing within 10 days.
- the consignment PIC is accredited under the HRG Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) module
- are transported with an approved HRG National Vendor Declaration (NVD)
If you are unsure about the requirements for using eID devices for your sheep or goats, contact us at sheepgoateid@dpird.nsw.gov.au.
When is sheep and goat eID happening in NSW?
Current Requirements
- All sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025 must have an eID device applied prior to leaving the property of birth
- Mandatory eID scanning and upload by processors, saleyards and depots
- Mandatory individual eID property to property NLIS transfers
From 1 January 2027
- All sheep and goats must have an eID device applied prior to leaving any property, regardless of age
NSW Implementation Plan
NSW has an implementation plan that provides more detail on why we are moving to eID.
For more details about what you will need to do to be ready when these changes take effect and what support is available, visit our pages for:
Where is sheep and goat eID being implemented?
In September 2022, all Commonwealth, State and Territory Agriculture Ministers agreed to work collaboratively with industry towards national mandatory individual electronic identification (eID) of sheep and goats, from 1 January 2025. eID has already been implemented for sheep and goats in Victoria.
More Information and Contact Us
To find out where our team will be delivering information about sheep and goat eID, visit the LLS Upcoming Events page or sign up for our newsletter.
The sheep and goat traceability team has expert staff located around NSW that are available to answer your questions and attend events in your area. Contact us at sheepgoateid@dpird.nsw.gov.au.