Mandatory electronic identification (eID) for bobby calves going direct to slaughter will be a requirement in Tasmania from 1 January 2025.
From 1 January 2025, all bobby calves that leave their property of birth to go direct to slaughter at Tasmanian Quality Meats (TQM) must be tagged with a National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) approved cattle eID tag.
eIDs are tags that contain a microchip which provides unique electronic identification of an animal.
eIDs are not just for commercial producers of cattle - once implemented in Tasmania the new requirements will apply even if you own only a few backyard animals.
The elD system:
allows individual cattle to be traced more accurately and efficiently
allows us to quickly respond and recover from emergency animal disease outbreaks
improves consumer confidence in bovine products
strengthens market access
enhances herd monitoring and management
Bobby Calf Tag Reimbursement Scheme
The Tasmanian Bobby Calf Tag Reimbursement Scheme (The Scheme) has been established to assist industry transition to mandatory eIDs for bobby calves going direct to slaughter.
The Scheme provides a reimbursement of $4.50 per bobby calf processed at TQM.
The Scheme Guidelines provide further detail, including information on eligibility criteria, assessment criteria, and terms and conditions.
Bobby Calf Reimbursement Scheme Guidelines (PDF 161Kb)
Key Dates
The Scheme runs from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
Reimbursements will be payable on all bobby calves processed at TQM during this period.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a reimbursement, the following applies:
- You must have an active Property Identification Code (PIC)
- You must be authorised by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) to order and use NLIS accredited cattle devices on a PIC
- You produce bobby calves that are processed at TQM during the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
- You agree to comply with your legislative obligations in regard to the eID tagging of stock and the supply of a movement document for bobby calves leaving your property going direct to slaughter at TQM.
How to apply
Note: If the individual reimbursement amount is $10,000 or more, you will need to submit a valid tax invoice with your application. The invoice should seek from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) the amount to be claimed in your re-imbursement application.
For more information on the Scheme
If you would like more information or need assistance with the reimbursement process, please contact an Industry Support Officer by telephone on 0477 391 282 or by email at nlis.tas@nre.tas.gov.au
Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations
New Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 are now in effect.
The new Regulations modernised tagging requirements for bobby calves that leave their property of birth to go directly to slaughter.
More information on the new regulations can be found on the Biosecurity Livestock Traceability Regulations webpage.
Consultation on the removal of eID Exemption for Bobby Calves
Biosecurity Tasmania established the Bobby Calf Regulatory Advisory Group in November 2023 to consult with dairy industry stakeholders on the new Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations and the planned removal of the electronic identification (eID) exemption for bobby calves sent directly to slaughter.
Bobby Calf Regulatory Advisory Group Memberships included representatives from various dairy industry sectors, industry representatives and government.
Bobby Calf Regulatory Advisory Group consultations took place from June to December 2024.
Feedback from Bobby Calf Regulatory Advisory Group stakeholders helped inform the development of an industry support scheme and transition to eID for bobby calves sent straight to slaughter, from 1 January 2025.