New South Wales Calls Urgently for Electronic Tagging of Sheep and Goats

Australia wants to keep FMD out with electronic ID tagging of sheep and goats. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The New South Wales (NSW) state government is proposing a more evolved electronic identification tagging system for sheep and goats with Australian agriculture ministers on July 20 amid concerns a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak could wipe out parts of its agriculture sector.

Currently, Australian cattle are able to be traced through electronic tagging under the National Livestock Identification System. However, the industry still relies on a mob-based system for tracing the movement of sheep and goats.