Tuesday, 03 April 2018 09:55

Nats nailed on NAIT

Written by 
Ag Minister Damien O’Connor. Ag Minister Damien O’Connor.

Ag Minister Damien O’Connor says while, on paper, the NAIT system is very good, he blames the present low level of farmer compliance on the previous government which he says ignored warnings about this issue. 

He says a big part of tracking down the spread of M.bovis was reliance on the NAIT system, but lack of farmer compliance slowed this process.

“There will be changes to the system and recommendations have been put forward. MPI needs to act quickly in situations like this,” he told Rural News. 

“In future we have to ensure there is compliance with NAIT at every level and ruthlessly enforce those requirements because the costs to the taxpayer and industry have been huge in terms of M.bovis.” 

O’Connor sees no issues with NZ’s trading partners over M bovis. They value the way NZ is upfront in dealing with the issue.

More like this

Feds support live animal exports

Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.

Live exports battle

As the coalition Government mulls new regulations to reinstate the export of live animals, debate is heating up between supporters and opponents.

Crazy

OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.

Not popular

OPINION: This old mutt hears that his editor has copped a fair bit of flak from readers after an article on former Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor appeared in the last issue of this fine organ.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

New Holland combines crack 50 years

New Holland is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction its Twin Rotor threshing and separation technology, which has evolved…

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Double standards

OPINION: Imagine if the Hound had called the Minister of Finance the 'c-word' and accused her of "girl math".

Debt monster

OPINION: It's good news that Finance Minister Nicola Willis has slashed $1.1 billion from new spending, citing "a seismic global…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter