Biosecurity award for M. bovis work
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.
MPI says its push on NAIT compliance is paying off with almost 90% of livestock farmers meeting their obligations in 2021.
However, it is warning against any complacency, despite rates of compliance with the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme continuing to rise.
The scheme maintains a national database of cattle and deer movements.
"It's a critical part of New Zealand's ability to respond quickly to biosecurity threats," says MPI national manager of animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Gray Harrison.
"We take non-compliance seriously because of the potentially devastating effect these threats can have on industry and communities," he adds.
"Up to 2018, only about 60% of tagged animals were being registered before first movement. Since 2019, MPI and OSPRI, which maintains the NAIT database, have renewed efforts to improve compliance, and the compliance rate is up to 90% this year."
MPI prosecuted 18 people in charge of animals for failing to meet their obligations under the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme in 2021.
In addition, it issued 1,782 infringements, and 2,372 written warnings.
"It's having the desired effect, but we can't afford complacency," Harrison adds.
"Our message to people with animals, which come under the NAIT scheme, is that we all need to do our part to protect New Zealand. For our part, we will continue to keep a close eye on NAIT compliance."
Harrison believes amendments to penalties in the NAIT Act, which increased the maximum penalty tenfold to $100,000 in late 2019, sends a strong message - that people need to treat this scheme very seriously.
"If you are unsure about what you need to do, please reach out," he adds.
"There is plenty of information, advice and support available. Visit the OSPRI website for details."
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.
Graham Brown, the executive chef for Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ), is excited about Korea.
One of the country's leading experts on China has praised the NZ Government for its handling of the recent incident with China over that country's cyber attack on two of our parliamentary institutions in 2021.
The world’s largest wool processing facility, badly damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle over one year ago, has re-opened following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project.
Kiwi rugby star Renee Holmes is set for a fruitful year.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…
OPINION: This old mutt understands that NZ Post will soon no longer be delivering to rural addresses on Saturdays.