Taranaki farmer fined $15,000 for illegal NAIT tag swapping
A Taranaki farmer and livestock agent who illegally swapped NAIT tags from cows infected with a bovine disease in an attempt to sell the cows has been fined $15,000.
OSPRI says with gypsy day fast approaching the organisation is able to help out dairy farmers with all the necessary information and requirements on NAIT and TBfree.
It says to ensure that moving dairy farmers meet their NAIT and TBfree obligations they need to take the following steps when moving or selling stock this gypsy day:
• Update contact details with OSPRI and record stock movements
• Check the TB status and testing requirements of the area into which they are moving cattle
• Correctly complete an animal status declaration (ASD) form when shifting stock and not accept any animals onto a farm if they're not accompanied by a correctly filled-out ASD form
• Make sure that any stock shifting from a movement control area have a pre-movement TB test within 60 days.
"We know gypsy day is a busy time of year, but it is important that farmers understand and meet their NAIT and TBfree obligations," says OSPRI chief executive Michelle Edge.
NAIT data is used to trace the movements of potentially infected stock, on and off farm, so that the source of the disease can be identified and special TB testing done to contain the infection.
"As long as your contact details and location are up to date, OSPRI can call when your herd is due for a TB test. Updating your details is quick and easy and is crucial for keeping TB under control," Edge adds.
