The proposed electronic tagging
of the entire Australian cattle herd has been described as unnecessary, costly and a wasted effort for farmers who were for the first time in twenty years experiencing a significant lift in market returns. Senator
Len Harris said guarded approval of the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) as a mandate for the entire herd by Agforce Cattle President Keith Adams was not necessarily the view of the majority of cattle
producers in Queensland.
"In January we had a 'big brother' submission from the Federal Attorney General wanting to electronically tag every citizen of Australia and now we have a producer body wanting to do the same
with livestock," Senator Harris warned.
"From producers I have spoken to, it seems Mr Adams, Agforce, the CCA and MLA are out of step."
However he added that it was the prerogative of individual producers wanting to
be part of the scheme.
Senator Harris said microchip recording of livestock birth dates, veterinary procedure and breeding was only as good as the operator who installs the information.
"The old computer adage,
garbage in – garbage out, still stands for this yet- to- be- developed technology."
He said the NLIS scheme offered by AQIS and the CCA to the European Community before it would allow Australia access was a 'flash in
the pan'.
"Some producers who fell for this market impediment, which had little to do with chemical treatments, found the return for their efforts was unjustified.
"Furthermore it is a physical impossibility to
electronically record the entire Australian herd, particularly in North Queensland where some cattle herds, such as found on the Peninsula are unable to be yarded, and some will remain unmanageable in spite of the best
efforts of producers.
"I can see some benefit to the Taxation office, because the NLIS requires a central database and is simply another method of tracking the dollar.
"For instance if a farmer swapped cattle for
machinery, and no money changed hands, then the Taxation office would possibly be interested.
"Cost is another factor against it. Estimates I have been given range from three to six dollars a head.
"I can't imagine the producer with 10,000 head wanting to be a part of this scheme."
Australian Beef Association chairman John Carter said there was no logical reason for imposing such a great expense on the industry.
"He is right," Senator Harris said. Ends
