Calls for sheep farmers to join MyOSPRI

Kevin Forward, head of traceability at OSPRI says the platform will improve the sector’s ability to launch an effective response in the event of a disease outbreak.

“In the unlikely event of an outbreak such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), it’s extremely important to keep tracking and tracing of animals accurately recorded and up to date,” Forward says.

“This is particularly critical for movements of mobs of sheep, which unlike cattle and deer are not covered by the National Animal Identification Tracing programme. The best way to do that is through MyOSPRI.”

Forward says that not only will sheep farmers benefit from the use of MyOSPRI – through the ability to send out Animal Status Declarations (ASDs) electronically – but OSPRI will also have a better picture of all locations where cattle, deer and sheep move between for a response team to use in the event of an outbreak.

“Movements recorded using paper-based ASDs are not kept in a centralised database and would slow our ability to trace a rapidly moving disease such as FMD.”

Forward says paper ASDs will still be required for saleyards.

Andrew Morrison, chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand and a Southland sheep and beef farmers, says that while the risk of FMD arriving in New Zealand is still considered low, everyone needs to play their part in helping prevent FMD entering the country and spreading.

“I encourage sheep farmers to sign up to MyOSPRI and use electronic ASDs so the industry can move quickly in the unlikely event of a disease outbreak.  I have personally found using the electronic system is much easier and faster. It also gives me confidence that I am doing everything I can to protect my farm, my neighbour and the industry.”