Tensions remain over NSW sheep and goat eID rollout

The New South Wales Government has announced an additional $2 million rebate to support the rollout of mandatory electronic identification for sheep and goats, offering a 50 per cent rebate on handheld eID readers from March.

The funding forms part of a broader $41 million state commitment to implement the traceability system, which the government says will strengthen biosecurity and improve livestock management.

However, NSW Farmers has criticised the package, arguing it does not include ongoing discounts on eID tags themselves, leaving producers to shoulder rising compliance costs.

The farm group says fewer than a quarter of sheep and goats currently passing through NSW saleyards are electronically tagged, with less than a year remaining before the system becomes mandatory.

NSW Farmers has called for further investment and national alignment, warning the success of the scheme depends on practical, affordable support for producers.