July 27, 2006

Australia to pump in more money for livestock tracking system.

Australian cattle producers in Queensland can expect their financial burden in implementing the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) to be lessened as the government announced its intention to pump in A$5.3 million (US$4 million) for the cattle industry in Queensland last week.

Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry Peter McGauran said the funding would cut between A$0.70 (US$0.53) and A$1.00 (US$0.76) from the cost of the identification tags.

McGauran said it is a step towards recovering costs and improving profitability for producers while building a whole-life identification and tracing system for cattle in Australia.

The allocation of A$5.3 million means Queensland is receiving the biggest share of the national A$15 million (US$11.3 million) investment by the Australian government. The state also has a fairly large cattle herd.

The identification system would help protect the export markets against diseases by ensuring rapid and effective responses, McGauran said.

The funds would fund various programmes, such as a grant scheme for tag manufacturers who can reduce tag costs, support for activities of livestock agents and purchase of NLIS readers and NLIS associated infrastructure in sale yards and meat processing facilities.