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.
The proposed regulations are for infringement offences and for establishing a panel to consider applications for access to the NAIT information system.
They form part of the suite of regulations for implementing and supporting the NAIT scheme.
The regulations passed to date provide the detail on how to meet requirements of the NAIT Act. They cover obligations and exemptions, levy types and various fees and forms.
The discussion paper sets out 12 proposed infringement offences.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director of preparedness and partnership, David Hayes, says the offences provide an efficient way of encouraging compliance with the law.
"The NAIT scheme has a strong focus on education, assistance and direction. That approach will be effective for the vast majority of people. The proposed regulations for infringement offences give the scheme another way to enhance compliance," Hayes says.
The discussion paper also sets out six proposed regulations for establishing the access panel that will consider applications to access data held in the NAIT information system.
"The rationale for the panel is that some applications for access to NAIT data may be quite complex in terms of judging and balancing the 'industry good' benefit of the application against privacy rights," Hayes says.
The panel would be appointed and publically notified and be made up of three to four people will specialist knowledge and experience in the pastoral sector and/or privacy law.
"Public feedback will improve these proposals. We encourage submissions to contribute to the success of the NAIT scheme," Hayes says.
Submissions must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012.
The discussion paper incorporating the proposals includes details for how to make a submission and is available on the web at:
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-resources/consultations/regulations-for-infringement-offences-and-regulati
