increase font size
Kevin Forward says poor NAIT record keeping can lead to delays in the response and increased spread of the disease.
OSPRI New Zealand says - following the resurgence of M. bovis in Mid Canterbury in late 2022, and concerns raised over poor NAIT record keeping and non-compliance - it is increasing its level of education and support to farmers in the region.
OSPRI's head of traceability, Kevin Forward says the organisation is committed to supporting farmers to understand their NAIT obligations and the importance of adopting good on-farm traceability practices as part of their overall biosecurity preparedness.
"The ability to manage a disease outbreak, contain it, and work towards its eradication relies on accurate traceabilit records," he explains. "Simply put, we all have a role to play when talking traceability and biosecurity, everyone must do their part for the system to work and for the industry to be protected."
He points out that poor NAIT record keeping can lead to delays in the response, increased spread of the disease and increased cost to farmers and the country.
Forward says OSPRI had launched a targeted support campaign to farmers in the Wakanui area.
It aims to help farmers get their NAIT accounts sorted and OSPRI is launching a NAIT education campaign in the greater Ashburton district.
OSPRI's local regional partner, Fiona Caldwell will be running a series of NAIT workshops, drop-in centres, and webinars for farmers to help them understand their NAIT obligations and why traceability is important.
In addition to this, OSPRI and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will be piloting an early intervention programme for those farmers in the region who are identified as not meeting their NAIT obligations.
The purpos of the early intervention programme is to reach out to farmers to offer support and education, so they understand what their NAIT obligations are, as a person in charge of animals, and know where to get help.
"We're trying to support farmers so they can avoid getting to the point where they're receiving infringements or being prosecuted for non-compliance with NAIT," Forward says.
"Now is not the time to be getting complacent, we need to be thinking not only about the diseases that we are trying to eradicate currently, but also about what could potentially hit us next. We've spent over five years working to eradicate M. bovis from New Zealand, that's a lot of hard work that the industry and individual farmers have all put in. The same applies for bovine TB, except over a longer period."
For more information: https://www.ospri.co.nz/news/lets-protect-our-industry-mid-canterbury/
Autumn calves are born in kinder conditions than what their spring cousins enjoy. But it takes a careful nutrition regime and a close eye on growth targets to capitalise on the opportunity nature, through pasture, offers this time of year.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
Wintering decisions shape the success of early lactation.
The dairy sector is in a strong position, with high milk prices, declining interest rates, and renewed confidence.
OPINION: Most people will be aware of the Government's plans to boost coal, oil and gas production to meet energy requirements.
AgriZeroNZ has entered a new partnership with Britain's national innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Twenty rural community hubs across New Zealand will receive $5,000 to upgrade their facilities having been selected as the winners of Rabobank's Community Hub Competition.
As the dairy industry prepares to celebrate its top achievers at an awards night this Saturday, attendees are being warned to be aware of protests planned outside the venue – Baypark Arena, Mount Mauganaui.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ) says the release of New Zealand's latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory clearly shows agriculture is playing its part in emissions reductions and there is no need for a price on agricultural emissions.
While opening the first electrode boiler at its Edendale site, Fonterra has announced a $70 million investment in two further new electrode boilers.
OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…
OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…
