$14,000 fine for not registering 295 deer
A farmer who failed to register 295 deer into the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme has been fined $13,750.
NAIT says its online system is set to be enhanced by an interactive map to help users accurately define a NAIT location.
The development uses Land Information New Zealand’s (LINZ) parcel data as the primary building block of NAIT’s Farm Location information. The system upgrade is scheduled for early 2019; it follows a recommendation in a review of NAIT.
It will address farmer and industry uncertainty about assigning a farm location in the NAIT system and whether it meets the ‘10km rule’ criteria.
“We know this has frustrated and irrittated farmers when they’ve tried to register their farm locations in NAIT. The interactive map will be more self-explanatory and less confusing for NAIT users who have found the 10km rule challenging to interpret,” says head of traceability Kevin Forward.
“This is an important step for the NAIT programme and will allow NAIT and its partners to trace movements and future livestock disease outbreaks with more accuracy.”
The system upgrade also includes a new registration form to capture other key details.
“In the new registration form there are additional fields for specific information on animals held at a property. This will have benefits for our traceability capability and biosecurity readiness and response.
“Effective livestock traceability relies on accurate information about animals and their location. It also can inform decision-making on managing and controlling a biosecurity incursion.”
Information on how to complete the new registration process will be sent to NAIT users in January 2019.
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.