Consultation FAQs

The consultation paper outlines the proposed changes to the Regulations necessary to transition to mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification (eID) in WA.

The consultation will only consider submissions relevant to the proposed amendments to the Regulations.

This consultation will not consider submissions that fall outside this scope, including submissions about the policy position on eIDs, the Regulations as a whole, eID implementation timeframes, the NLIS database functionality, NLIS-approved devices, or other unrelated general feedback on eID.

The current Regulations allow for the use of either visual or eID tags for tracing stock movement in WA. 

The amended Regulations provide the legislative basis to mandate the use of eID tags in sheep and goats in WA by:

• removing the visual tagging option for tracing stock movement in WA
• clarifying the roles and responsibilities of each producer, market chain operator and any other related parties who manage or participate in the movement of sheep and goats within an eID system
• mandating the use of eID tags within the NLIS
• making minor consequential amendments such as addressing inconsistencies in terminology and structure.

No changes have been made to the Regulations that govern the movement and identification of other species, such as pigs.

The proposed amendments to the Regulations will:

• provide the legislative mechanisms to support the nationally agreed objectives of mandatory sheep and goat eID
• improve traceability outcomes for sheep and goats within WA
• maximise benefit to the WA community by supporting a more efficient and effective traceability system for the management of disease outbreaks, food safety issues and market access.

The proposed changes to the Regulations are limited to only those necessary to implement mandatory eID for sheep and goats in WA, meet the minimum requirements of the NLIS Sheep and Goat Standards and address any minor consequential inconsistencies.

Specifically, the proposed updates to the Regulations will:

• mandate the use of NLIS-accredited eIDs for all sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025 onward
• mandate the use of NLIS-accredited eIDs for sheep and goats born prior to 1 January 2025 which are departing any property (farming or non-farming) from 1 July 2026 onward
• clearly define the responsibilities of stakeholders across the supply chain for eID recording and tracing individual animals within the NLIS environment.

See Table 1 on pages 7–10 in the consultation paper for full details of the changes.

Note: No changes have been made to the Regulations that govern the movement and identification of other species, such as pigs.

Stakeholders in livestock traceability and interested community members are invited to make submissions on the proposed amendments to the Regulations. The feedback received will help the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) refine its recommendations to the Minister for Agriculture and Food.

Before making a submission, please read the consultation paper.

This consultation will consider submissions relevant to the proposed changes to the Regulations. See Table 1 on pages 7–10 in the Consultation paper for details of the changes.

This consultation will not consider submissions that fall outside this scope, including submissions pertaining to the policy position on eIDs, the Regulations as a whole, eID implementation timeframes, the NLIS database functionality, NLIS-approved devices, or other unrelated general feedback on eID.

To make a submission:

• register on the YourSay site (unless you have previously registered – then just sign in)
• complete the survey.

Note: Deidentified submissions may be published online at the conclusion of the consultation and cited in a publicly available report.

Submissions close on Thursday 10 October 2024 at 5pm.

To make a submission, first register on the DPIRD YourSay site (if you have previously registered, just sign in) and then complete the survey.

If you have any difficulties registering or using the survey, please email eIDTeam@dpird.wa.gov.au.

The feedback received will help the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) refine its recommendations to the Minister for Agriculture and Food. A consultation report that summarises the deidentified responses to the survey will be published on the DPIRD YourSay site. This report will be emailed to all survey respondents.

Following the closing date, DPIRD will consider feedback and make any appropriate amendments to the draft Regulations prior to submitting these to the Minister for Agriculture and Food for approval. The final amendments to the Regulations will be published on the WA Legislation website (legislation.wa.gov.au).