Sheep and Goat Electronic Identification

227 The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) ().9 February 2023). Can the minister advise:

1. Will a co-funding arrangement be applied for mandatory eID tags in South Australia?

2. Will a state levy be applied to support the eID rollout in South Australia?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): I am advised:

1. Australian government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon. Murray Watt, is seeking co-investment by state jurisdictions and industry to assist funding the implementation of eID in sheep and goats.

The South Australian Sheep and Goat Traceability Steering Committee, managed by Livestock SA, developed the South Australian implementation plan, which will provide advice to the government on industries priorities for funding infrastructure, including eID tags for the consideration of government.

2. A levy is already collected from South Australian sheep farmers through the Sheep Industry Fund. The fund is used to financially support projects and activities that benefit the South Australian sheep industry. The industry would need to apply for funding from Sheep Industry Fund to support eID rollout if it wished to pursue this option.