tunnel houses

and NAIT compliance, Gray Harrison, says NAIT use had improved, but more work was needed.

“When a person in charge of animals fails their NAIT obligations, they potentially put the whole sector at risk,” he claims. “There has been improvement with registering animals after they have been tagged, but I’m concerned there appears to be a belief that this obligation starts and finishes with the person who has animals born on farm.”

He says farmers who have NAIT animals on their property, that were not born there, must ensure they are tagged, registered, and have had their movement recorded into the NAIT system.

“Not doing this could make you liable for an infringement or court prosecution if those animals remain unregistered and/or not recorded in a movement,” Gray adds.

“We’ve had some serious cases before the court this year involving hundreds of unregistered animals, resulting in thousands of dollars in fines. The consequences might seem severe, but they’re a drop in the ocean compared to what it would cost to this country if this disease –M. bovis or something similar – gained a foothold in New Zealand.”

Harrison adds that anyone unsure about their NAIT obligations should reach out.

“There is plenty of support and information available through our partners at OSPRI.”