New Biosecurity Livestock Traceability Regulations
New Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 (the Regulations) developed by Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) were gazetted on 11 December 2024.
The Regulations are supported by a set of new Tasmanian Standards for the Identification of Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Pigs that are published on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment website. The Standards detail the legal requirements for the correct identification of livestock, including the use of National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) devices, brands, and earmarks.
Fact sheets have also been developed to support the Regulations and outline how people can meet their compliance requirements under the new Regulations.
The enactment of the new Regulations will allow for the repeal of the Animal Brands and Movement Act 1984 and General Biosecurity Direction (Livestock Traceability) (03/22).
Biosecurity Tasmania sought feedback from stakeholders on the new Regulations in 2024.
Information about the new Regulations can be found on the Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 webpage.
Updated electronic identification (eID) requirements for sheep, goats and bobby calves
The new Regulations include the need for individual animal identification through modernised eID tagging requirements for:
- Sheep and goats born on or after 1 January 2025 that move off property, and
- Bobby calves that leave their property of birth to go directly to slaughter at Tasmanian Quality Meats (TQM).
From 1 January 2025, these animals must be fitted with an Electronic Identification Device (eID).
The eIDs are National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) approved tags that contain a microchip which provides a unique electronic identification of an animal.
The elD system:
- allows enhanced biosecurity management as individual animals can be traced more accurately and efficiently,
- allows us to quickly respond and recover from emergency animal disease outbreaks,
- improves consumer confidence in animal products,
- strengthens market access, and
- enhances herd monitoring and management.
Industry support schemes have been developed to help producers to transition to eID tags for sheep, goats and bobby calves.
Information about eID requirements and support for sheep and goats can be found on the BT Sheep and Goat eID webpage.
Information about eID requirements and support for bobby calves can be found on the BT Bobby Calf eID webpage.
