August 11, 2006

Australia to appoint third party to oversee cattle identification system

The Australian Government is appointing an independent third party to oversee an audit of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database to assuage concerns about mismanagement.

The Australian Beef Association lobby group had feared the audit would be conducted in-house and would not be able to check if the electronic livestock tagging system is working effectively.

However, Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran tried to lay their fears to rest, saying  a major accounting firm would be appointed to do the audit.

McGauran also assured every major cattle group that they would have a chance to voice their concerns.

The audit would have extensive coverage, involving agents in the cattle industry such as producers, stock and station agents, saleyards and abattoirs, McGauran said.