June 16, 2006

Australia's government tackles the case of the phantom cattle

The Federal Government has ordered an independent audit of Australia's national livestock identification system after the Australian Beef Association (ABA) claimed there are 11 million non-existent cattle in the database.

The livestock identification system allows Meat and Livestock Australia to electronically trace cattle from birth to slaughter using ear and rumen tags, but it has been mired in controversy of late.

Australia's agriculture minister has warned the ABA against malingering the beef industry.

Even though MLA and the database undergo regular audits, the minister said he would personally oversee the investigations.

He added that he is not questioning the system but simply ensuring that it the system's performance works as advertised.