NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has announced an additional $4 million in funding for the eID tag discount program for NSW producers, to provide a 76-cent-per-tag subsidy for eligible sheep and goat eID tags through to December 31 or until funds were exhausted.
NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin said fresh investment in the discount program had come as welcome news, following strong advocacy by the state’s peak farm body.
“If this system is going to be the one that works, then the industry that has to use it needs to be supported appropriately,” Mr Martin said.
He warned the state government must continue to deliver funding for the discount program beyond December, to ensure a successful transition through the reforms.
“The NSW Government must commit to future funding for eID devices so that costs are lowered throughout the entire transition period, and producers can adapt to this major change.
“This means we need more funding for tags from the state and federal governments, and more consideration of the other pathways that exist to ensure costs are kept down for producers through this transition.
“Governments mandated this traceability system, and therefore, it’s governments who must continue to properly support producers with transitioning to it.”
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