South Australian eID Industry Advisory Committee

Key items of discussion and outcomes included:

• It is important producers note that "Sheep and goats born before 1 January 2025 DO NOT need an eID tag if sold or processed before 1 January 2027 – an NLIS visual tag will satisfy NLIS requirements for these animals."
• Current eID tag discount and eID tag rebate arrangements for producers
  • Members agreed advice on options relating to rebate for 'off-year' colours.
  • PIRSA will forward the advice to the Minister for consideration.
• Essential equipment requirements for producers
  • There was broad discussion on what a producer rebate should constitute.
  • PIRSA will further scope eligibility criteria including who can apply, what equipment and the level of rebate. A further paper will be provided to the IAC for review to inform the development of rebate guidelines.
• Essential equipment requirements for stock agents
  • Agents have specific NLIS recording and reporting obligations, which require scanning equipment.
  • Agents play an important role in the supply chain such as assisting producers with recording and uploading P2P movements and online auction purchases however it is still the purchaser's responsibility to ensure the movements on the database have taken place if a third party has facilitated the transfer on their behalf.
  • Agent representatives outlined it is essential that agents have scanning equipment for these purposes, and that eligibility requirements should account for the producer and agent relationship.
• Scanning dates for processors (1 January 2025), saleyards (1 July 2025) and P2P movements (1 January 2025) have been announced and the review of the Livestock Regulations 2013 is underway with amendments to be made by 1 January 2025.
• Communication and extension
  • Providing clear messaging about roles and responsibilities across the supply chain is essential.
  • The design of an expanded engagement and extension program is nearing completion and funding has been identified.
  • A range of communications and extension materials is being developed nationally and by each state and will be shared with IAC members.

Key items for discussion at the next meeting will include producer and agent rebates for essential equipment and infrastructure.

The next meeting of the Industry Advisory Committee is planned for mid-May 2024.

Key items of discussion and outcomes included:

• Point-of-sale discount arrangements are in place for eligible NLIS accredited eID tags purchased in 2024 and 2025. PIRSA committed to assisting resellers to understand arrangements and have point of sale materials to assist promotion to producers.
• Saleyards expressed frustration about the 75% rebate amount for essential equipment and infrastructure. PIRSA confirmed the 75% essential equipment and infrastructure rebate for saleyards and processors remains as outlined in the rebate Guidelines.
• PIRSA will reach out to all saleyards and processors and reaffirm the process for submitting a rebate application, and outline the requirement for a needs analysis if processors or saleyards require equipment or infrastructure different to quantity limits outlined in the Guidelines.
• Saleyards advised of uncertainty regarding purchase and installation timeframes, and concerns regarding ongoing operating and maintenance costs.
• Essential equipment requirements for producers and stock agents were discussed. PIRSA will further scope eligibility including who can apply and what equipment is eligible and provide to IAC for review to inform the development of rebate Guidelines.
• Members noted the need to review and amend the Livestock Regulations 2013 to accommodate the move from visual tags to eID tags and reporting of individual sheep and farmed goat movements in the NLIS database. Members indicated their support for targeted consultation over broad consultation.
• Communication and extension was discussed and the importance of providing clear messaging about roles and responsibilities across the supply chain for eID tag adoption, and NLIS scanning and reporting obligations.

Key items for discussion at the next meeting will include producer and agent rebates for essential equipment and infrastructure.

The next meeting of the Industry Advisory Committee is planned for early April 2024.

Key items of discussion at the second meeting included:

• understanding the critical pathway for the supply chain to be ready for mandatory scanning of individual sheep and farmed goats, including:
  • options for mandatory scanning dates for processors
  • saleyards and property-to-property movements
  • the advantages and challenges that need to be considered when setting dates
• eID device rebates (2023) and a need to continue actively promoting the rebate to producers
• the application process for saleyards and processors to access a 75% rebate for essential eID equipment and infrastructure – the release of guidelines is imminent, with applications opening in 2024
• eID tag discounts to commence on 1 January 2024, available to SA producers following agreement with the 5 tag manufacturers to provide a $0.95 discount per tag at point of sale
• NLIS database uplift project update to be completed in mid-2026 – Integrity Systems Company (ISC) confirmed the current NLIS database can accommodate increased data load required for recording individual sheep and farmed goat movements
• Technical Extension Plan priorities in 2024, to ensure industry stakeholders across the supply chain understand:
  • the mandatory requirements for eID implementation
  • their role in traceability and maintaining market access
• the importance of developing:
  • targeted communications and extension materials
  • opportunities to utilise the suite of tools and resources being developed nationally to support transition to eID.

A key item for discussion at the next meeting will include infrastructure rebate for producers.

Further work on mandatory scanning dates will be undertaken out of session.

The next meeting of the Industry Advisory Committee is planned for mid-February 2024.

At the inaugural meeting, members acknowledged the work undertaken by Livestock SA Sheep and Goat Traceability Steering Committee (SGTSC), to inform implementation of eID in South Australia.

Key items of discussion included:

• South Australia's work program to support eID implementation (Stage 1)
• eID device rebate (2023) eligibility requirements and application process
• essential infrastructure requirements for the supply chain, noting a priority focus on rebates for saleyards and processors
• a requirement to review and amend the Livestock Regulations to reflect the transition from mob-based visual recording to individual electronic recording of sheep and farmed goats
• targeted communications and extension materials that provide clear messaging about roles and responsibilities across the supply chain for eID tag adoption, scanning and reporting obligations through the NLIS database
• opportunities to utilise the suite of tools and resources being developed nationally to support transition to eID.

Future agenda items include extension materials and engagement; scanning dates for saleyards, processors, and property to property movements; and essential infrastructure requirements for the supply chain.