eID rebate scheme suddenly cancelled

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE Tas) has suddenly closed access to the eID Rebate Scheme for sheep.

On Wednesday, the industry was informed that all available funding for the grant round 2 of the Tasmanian eID Rebate Scheme had been fully expended.

This is despite Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce saying last month that farmers had until June 30 to use the eID rebate scheme.

Since last year, it has been a requirement that newborn sheep and goats transported off the property where they are born be fitted with an electronic identification tag.

From 2027, it will be expanded to include all sheep and goats.

At the time the latest round of grant funding was announced, Mr Pearce said the scheme would be extended to cover nine National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) accredited tags.

“This Rebate Scheme was introduced by our Government to support industry as we transition to mandatory eID for sheep and goats,” Minister Pearce said.

“Expanding the scheme now will give our farmers a better opportunity to get stuck into eID tagging before permanent changes roll out at the beginning of 2027.

“I’m pleased to see how successful the Scheme has been, with some 3 million sheep and goat eID tags sold since 2024.

“The Scheme has been supported by a $2.8 million investment over two years, providing a rebate of $1 per ear tag and $4 per goat leg band.”

At the time of publication, the NRE Tas had not responded to a request for comment.