Unsung heroes under the soil
Much of the scientific work being carried out at the Massey University led regenerative agriculture project, Whenua Haumanu, is below the ground.
Currently, there are six Active Confirmed properties with M. bovis infections and a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) is in place for the Wakanui area in Mid-Canterbury.
M. bovis programme director Simon Andrew says most of the infected properties would be cleared by early next year and eradication remains on-track, but it is vital that all farmers use NAIT properly.
“In our tracing work, we have identified some poor NAIT practices, which is disappointing,” Andrew says.
“Good NAIT records allow us to track any infection quickly, whereas poor records slows us down and heightens the risk that other farmers’ cattle are exposed to M. bovis,” he says.
Andrew says the eradication programme has come a long way and that is largely down to the hard work of farmers and the wider community.
He says that as we approach the end of 2022, it is timely to encourage farmers to do the right thing, adding that incomplete NAIT records had resulted in farms being placed under movement controls, which may not have been the case if animals were properly accounted for under NAIT.
“Farmers should be aware that, where necessary, the M. bovis Eradication Programme will refer those with poor NAIT records to MPI’s compliance team for investigation,” Andrew says.
MPI national manager of animal welfare and NAIT compliance Gray Harrison says that while NAIT use has improved, more work is required.
“When a person in charge of animal fails their NAIT obligations, they potentially put the whole sector at risk,” Harrison says.
“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.
Harrison adds that every person who has NAIT animals on their property that were not born there needs to make sure 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.”
Harrison says there have been some serious cases in 2022 that have gone before the courts. These cases involved hundreds of unregistered animals, resulting in thousands of dollars in fines.
“The consequences might seem severe,” he says, “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 says anyone unsure about their NAIT obligations should reach out, as there is plenty of support and information available through OSPRI.
