increase font size
Currently NAIT data is owned by Ospri.
The Government's proposal to take ownership of all animal traceability core data is being rejected by key primary sector organisations, including Fonterra.
A common theme in submissions to the primary production select committee this month on the National Animal and Traceability (NAIT) Amendment Bill show farmers and processors oppose Government taking ownership of data.
The Government, through amendment 23A, is proposing that all core data become the property of the Crown and a copy of the core data must be provided at the written request of the Minister for Agriculture.
Currently NAIT data is owned by Ospri, a partnership between the primary industries sector and the Government.
Fonterra’s submission, signed by general manager veterinary and risk management Caroline Murray, questions the amendment.
“We question the purpose of this section. The Crown can already access NAIT information at no cost under the Biosecurity Act, and therefore this appears to be an unnecessary addition,” the co-op said.
Farmer-owned co-op LIC also opposes Crown ownership. It submits that Crown ownership is not necessary to meet the stated objective of securing access to and control over the NAIT database in the future.
“It is not in the public interest to grant property ownership rights. Crown ownership could cause significant issues that outweigh any perceived benefits, and the new section 23A is contrary to the purpose of the NAIT Act to encourage farmer participation and compliance.”
Deer farmers, represented by Deer Industry NZ, believe NAIT data belongs to the data submitters (principally farmers, saleyards and slaughterhouses) and that the NAIT database belongs to the NAIT organisation.
“It has long been the NAIT organisation’s and its stakeholders’ position that even though disclosure of data to the NAIT organisation is a legal requirement, ownership remains vested in the disclosing parties.
“There is no obvious reason why the Crown would be the data owner. We note that the Crown has declined to take up a shareholding in the NAIT organisation, although its available share is no greater than that of DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ.
“That the NAIT organisation is a creature of statute and persons are required to disclose data to it does not mean that the data is necessarily Crown-owned.”
DairyNZ says it supports other proposed changes to NAIT but has “serious concerns” about data security.
“We want to send a clear message that we are firmly opposed to any attempt to take ownership of farmers’ NAIT data. The Crown does not need to ‘own’ the data to manage the risk,” said DairyNZ biosecurity manager, Dr Liz Shackleton.
“DairyNZ supports the minister and appropriate Government agencies such as MPI having access to data for the purposes of the Act but believes that anything further would constitute a significant privacy breach.”
Federated Farmers meat and wool chairman Miles Anderson says his members “vehemently disagree” with the Government proposal.
“This proposal raises a red flag as to why the Crown would want ownership when current legislation allows access to NAIT information in a transparent manner.”
Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor told Rural News the purpose of the select committee process is “to thrash things out and give the New Zealand public the chance to be involved in the development of legislation”.
“The select committee process still has some way to go. The committee will consider all evidence and inputs it receives,” he said.
“I would encourage anyone with concerns or ideas to engage with the select committee process and have their say.”
OPINION: There is zero chance that someone who joined Fonterra as a lobbyist, then served as a general manager of Fonterra's nutrient management programme, and sat on the board of Export NZ, a division of lobbyist group Business New Zealand, doesn't understand that local butter (and milk and cheese) prices are set by the international commodity price.
Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.
An A$2 billion bid for Fonterra's Oceania business would be great news, according to Forsyth Barr senior analyst, equities, Matt Montgomerie.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
The world's largest dairy company may be in pole position to acquire Fonterra's Australian assets.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
A Taupo company says it's the first to bring CO₂-powered water heating technology to New Zealand dairy sheds, helping farmers cut energy costs by up to 85%.
OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…
