A European audit of our sheep tagging system has found Australia's sheep identification system system 'wanting'.
This criticism may force major, controversial changes in the industry.
The Europeans are demanding post-breeder tags from mid 2009 and mob-based saleyard reporting.
The European audit has re-sparked the debate in Australia about multiple tags, mob-based reporting and electronic identification of sheep in Australia.
In response to Europe’s concerns that sheep cannot be traced back to their last property, compulsory use of pink post breeder tags on purchased sheep from mid 2009 and mob based recording at saleyards are set to be put in place to address weaknesses in the NLIS (Sheep & Goats).
The Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association (ALPA) is the only member of the NLIS Sheep and Goat management committee to oppose the changes, on the grounds of increased costs and animal welfare concerns.
ALPA chief executive officer Andy Madigan said post breeder tags would commonly lead to up to four or more tags in the ear of first-cross or Merino ewes and mob-based reporting would lead to extra costs.
“This mob-based reporting is an obligation that is being put on only one section of the industry. It does not cover traceability for all other transactions or movements," he said.
"We also cannot and will not support a system that creates an animal welfare issue with sheep in saleyards by having a number of tags in one ear.
"This will attract unwarranted bad press at saleyards for matters out of our control and what we believe to be bad animal welfare practices by this multiple tagging.
"Producers must understand that there will be buyer ‘stand off’ of sheep that have multiple tags affecting the sale price”
With the $150 million sheepmeat trade to Europe at stake, and the possibility of increasing lamb exports to the profitable market, however, electronic identification may also have to be used in future, to meet European requirements.
The current NLIS system uses National Vendor Declarations (NVD) and visually readable tags typically attached by the breeder.
But Mr Madigan says this is not enforced and this is where the problem lies.
However, the European report states the system is complicated by the common practice of livestock buyers boxing mobs bought at saleyards.
“The identification system, in place for sheep intended for EU slaughter, does not guarantee each animal or, where appropriate, each lot of animals accessed onto the slaughterhouse premises by the Food Business Operator, (abattoir), is properly identified."
He said, consequently they cannot ensure the origin of the animals and it is this situation that is not in line with the requirements of EC Regulations.
Importantly, the report also notes no significant changes have been put in place since similar findings following an audit 12 months beforehand.
The “Sheepcatcher” audit, conducted by Animal Health Australia in 2007, also found significant deficiencies in the traceability of Australia’s sheep identification system.
This audit is also mentioned in the Commission’s report.
Sheepmeat Council president Kate Joseph has confirmed there are “a few issues with traceability, particularly with boxed mobs at abattoirs.
She added, the industry has put together a proposal to respond to Europe’s demands.
“AQIS will be responding to the EC officials on behalf of industry,” she said.
Livestock identification expert with the Department of Primary Industries in Victoria, Tony Britt, says one abattoir in Victoria is presently trialing a system that allows electronic NLIS tags, carried by sheep, to be linked with their carcases up to the point where they are deemed fit for human consumption.
“Such a system would fit in perfectly with electronic NLIS tags in sheep, and would allow individual carcases to be traced back to their last property of residence,” he said.
“With purchased sheep, producers will not be required to attach a pink post-breeder tag, where electronic NLIS accredited tags are used, as the tag is linked to the Property Identification Code (PIC) of dispatch on DPI's database.”
Mr Madigan responded by saying the technology was not yet capable of recording the large numbers of lambs seen at yards.
“How would we scan all 60,000 lambs at Hamilton last week?"
"The additional costs would be enormous,” he said.
Despite speaking to EC authorities on behalf of Australian agriculture, which has already formulated a formal response, AQIS was unable to respond in time for publishing deadlines in Rural Press weekly farming newspapers published on Thursday.
The United Kingdom is introducing an electronic identification system from December 31, 2009.
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