Animal Identification and Tracing

New mandatory animal identification system for cattle proposed to be in place by 2011

MAF, including Biosecurity New Zealand and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, are working with industry to enhance New Zealand’s animal identification and traceability systems, starting with cattle and deer.

Update June 2008

In Budget 2008, the Government announced funding for the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) and associated FarmsOnLine projects. Government will fully fund the capital cost and 35 percent of the operating cost of the NAIT system. The remaining 65% of operating expenditure will be funded by industry.

$000 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13
NAIT Capital Expenditure 2,880 4,180 210 210  
NAIT Operating Expenditure 2,516 3,172 5,217 7,408 7,408
           
FarmsOnLine Capital Expenditure 3,019        
FarmsOn Line Operating Expenditure 1,192 2,547 2,383 2,327 2,327

At the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek Hamilton 11-14 June 2008, NAIT was formally launched.

An implementation document has been released outlining the NAIT proposal and seeking feedback by Friday 1 August 2008.

See:

Background

This project commenced in August 2004, when an Animal Identification and Traceability Working Group was established to consider domestic and international trends in animal identification and traceability, and propose a way forward to enhance New Zealand's existing systems. While current systems are adequate, demands for traceability for animals will continue to increase for market access, and to meet biosecurity and other on and off-farm needs. In July 2005, the Working Group distributed a report for industry consultation and from the submissions received, industry agreed in principle to the changes proposed. Summary of submissions [ PDF ].

In March 2006, an Animal Identification and Traceability Governance Group was established to oversee the development of the new system under the name “NAIT” (national identification and tracing). As at 1 June 2008, the AITGG members are:

  • Ian Corney, independent Chairman
  • Ted Coats, Dairy Insight
  • Andrew Fox, Meat and Wool New Zealand
  • Steve Murphy, Meat Industry Association
  • Frank Brenmuhl, Federated Farmers
  • Andrew McKenzie, New Zealand Food Safety Authority
  • Kevin Old, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand
  • Douglas Birnie, Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF sponsor)
  • Mark O’Connor, Deer Industry New Zealand

Supporting the Governance Group is a Technical Advisory Group. The TAG members are:

  • Ben O’Brien, Meat and Wool New Zealand
  • Lindsay Burton, dairy industry (Chairman)
  • Kevin Cresswell, Meat Industry Association
  • Jacob Haronga, Federated Farmers
  • Susan Keenan, MAF/ Biosecurity New Zealand
  • Chris Mawson, New Zealand Food Safety Authority
  • Graham Wilson, MAF Information Services
  • Tony Pearce, Deer Industry New Zealand

Changes Proposed

Changes will focus on the tracking of live animals up to post-mortem inspection at slaughter. While these systems are considered adequate for New Zealand's needs now, greater harmonisation of information and electronic recording of key data in a centralised repository will enhance our ability to use animal identification and traceability for market access, biosecurity, food safety and other related purposes; it will also provide greater opportunities for organisations to use official information systems for a range of on and off-farm purposes (e.g. farming automation).

Many changes relate to harmonising and sharing of information among agencies. Currently there are a range of animal identification schemes set up for a range of purposes. The enhancements proposed are adoption of a single, universal livestock identification system, supported by a core registry of data linking people, property and animals. This will replace elements of existing systems which duplicate this information. For cattle and deer changes will include individual animal identification, and maintaining electronic records of all animal movements between properties. The movement records will replace the paper-based systems we have in place now. Other livestock sectors may also be able to use a system when developed, based on herd/flock or individual ID as appropriate.

Initial uptake is proposed to be on a voluntary basis with provision for future mandating of core requirements. While the focus is on cattle and deer (which already have compulsory animal identification for the national bovine tuberculosis pest management strategy), the aim is to provide an infrastructure suitable for other livestock industries to consider and adopt as appropriate.

Existing Animal Identification Schemes

There are four Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry-approved animal identification schemes in place at present; these are schemes set up under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the Biosecurity (Animal Identification Systems) Regulations 1999:

  • MINDA, managed by Livestock Improvement Corporation
  • National bovine tuberculosis identification programme, administered by the Animal Health Board
  • Tracking of imported live animals, managed by MAF.
  • Agri-Tags, managed by AgriQuality Limited.

As the project is implemented it is anticipated that there will be changes to these schemes to bring them into line with the NAIT scheme. NAIT has been developing standards for the use of radio frequency devices (RFID), as an alternative to traditional bar code tags or visual devices. Work is underway to introduce RFID as a secondary tag under current official schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated June 2008

 

What is NAIT?

The National Animal Identification and Tracing project (NAIT) started in April 2006. Its purpose is to develop a universal livestock identification system, supported by a core registry of data that links people, property and animals.

Why develop a new system?

New Zealand’s present official systems for animal identification are adequate. Changes are needed, however, to answer increasing demand for traceability from international and domestic consumers, to provide tracing of stock to cope with disease outbreaks and to provide other on and off- farm purposes.

The processing and exporting sectors are reporting ever-increasing demands for information, including animal-raising methods and health status. Systems for biosecurity (around bovine tuberculosis) and market access (e.g. hormone growth promotants, imported animals) currently operate separately. While each works effectively for its own purpose, it would be beneficial to have a single national farm and core animal data system for all traceability requirements.

Will it include all livestock?

Cattle and deer are the first focus because they are already included in mandatory animal identification schemes under the National Bovine Tuberculosis Pest Management Strategy. However, to manage biosecurity risks, it is important to create a system that enables the tracing of other species. The system will be designed to allow other livestock sectors to be added when and as appropriate.

Why aren’t sheep included?

NAIT acknowledges the importance of sheep and other species in the traceability scheme. Sheep were not included in the initial focus because cattle and deer identification is already in place under existing mandatory identification requirements.

What requirements will be imposed by NAIT?

Farmers will need to:

  • ensure all cattle and deer are tagged with a NAIT-approved tag;
  • record all animals onto the NAIT database either themselves or through a third-party;
  • notify NAIT of all farm-to-farm animal movements.

Processors will be required to record the receipt of all cattle and deer into their processing facilities, and provide the date of slaughter and other details for electronic transfer to the NAIT database. Farmers sending animals directly to slaughter will be able to leave recording of the animal and movement details on NAIT to approved processors.

Saleyards will need to record the receipt and dispatch of all cattle and deer and provide the date of transactions and other details (e.g. ownership transfer and individual animal ID) to the NAIT database. Farmers sending animals to, or purchasing animals at, NAIT-approved saleyards will be able to leave recording of the animal and movement details to the saleyard operator.

Transporters, drovers and anyone moving animals will be required to record transition points where animals are unloaded for consolidation with other mobs, for new transport arrangements, or when overnighting on a long haul.

Parties will still need to comply with existing regulations and schemes (e.g. for bovine Tb, hormone growth promotant treatments, imported animals, and in respect of Animal Status Declaration forms). Existing industry recording systems will continue largely as before.

I'm a small-block owner with one or just a few cattle - how will I be affected by NAIT?"

You will have the same NAIT obligations as for other owners/persons in charge of larger herds. It is anticipated that service providers (stock and station agents, transport operators, etc) may offer services that include the meeting of NAIT requirements. A group of small-block holders might also consider sharing equipment to meet NAIT requirements.

I’m a farmer - How will I get my information onto NAIT?

You will be able to access NAIT on-line via a computer, via your approved third-party service provider, or by telephoning the NAIT helpdesk (there will be a small charge for this service).

Do all animals need to be tagged?

Under NAIT, only cattle and deer will be required to be tagged, at least initially. The current rules around the identification of animals for bovine Tb purposes, under the MINDA scheme, for imported animals and for HGP-treated animals will continue to apply. NAIT will set some additional new requirements:

  • All cattle and deer will have to be tagged with a NAIT-approved tag (this tag can meet secondary tag requirements of current official schemes).
  • The animals must be tagged within three months of their birth, or at the time of first contact (whichever comes first).
  • The animals must be tagged prior to the animal’s first movement regardless of age. The only planned exception is for calves less than 30-days-old going directly to slaughter.

Do I need to tag bobby calves?

The existing commercial schemes for payment purposes are considered adequate for traceability of calves less than 30-days-old going directly to slaughter. Such animals will not be recorded on NAIT (although provision to do so will be built into the system) as any biosecurity/infectious disease risk from these calves is minimal. However, for calves going to other properties and calves 30 days or older, RFID tagging and recording on NAIT will be required as for other cattle and deer.

What is RFID and where does it fit into this?

Radio frequency identification devices (or RFIDs) are electronic tags that emit radio signals that can be read by special readers, therefore eliminating the need for manual data entry. The RFID tags in use on NAIT contain only an identification number; any information about the animal will be stored on a database and linked to the animal’s RFID identification number.

RFID is used in other countries with animal identification systems. The NAIT Governance Group is keen to ensure the NAIT system is based primarily on RFID tags for cattle and deer. To that end, RFID will be introduced via existing official animal identification schemes and will become regulated for cattle by 2011 (with deer at that time or shortly after, once RFID for deer is fully field tested).

Can all information stay with the animal i.e. on an embedded microchip?

No. At this point, and with current technology, it is more efficient to record and modify data in a database than on individual tags. In addition, if information able to be recorded onto the tag there is a greater risk that the information could be tampered with.

My animals go directly-to-slaughter now. Will I be able to use a direct-to-slaughter tag?

With the exception of calves under 30 days-old going directly to slaughter, all cattle and deer will need to be individually tagged and recorded onto the NAIT database. Under the NAIT system we will want to know where all animals are at a given point of time, including the farm of origin. This is needed in the event of a biosecurity outbreak so that at-risk animals can be identified quickly. It will also enable us to provide assurance to markets that we have whole-of-life traceability. See also, “Do I need to tag bobby calves?”

Can I use tail tags?

No, not as official tags.

What happens to the tags when the animal dies/is slaughtered?

Most overseas animal identification systems use the unique identifiers only once to maintain the integrity of the system. The death or slaughter of all animals registered in NAIT must be recorded. Re-use of tags for some animal species may be considered as a future enhancement, but not in the first roll out of the system.

Will farmers and processors have any input into the system design?

Yes. Farmers and processors are currently represented on the project by their respective industry organisations, which participate in project development and all major decisions. This public document, National Identification and Tracing – Enhancing New Zealand’s animal identification and tracing systems, seeks feedback from all interested parties on the proposed system design.

How will identifying my animals limit the spread and impact of a disease outbreak?

Recording individual animals (through unique identification) and whole-of-life movements in a central database will mean an infected or suspect-infected animal and associated animals can be located faster during a biosecurity response. It will also help to identify animals associated with the infected animals. The faster and more effective the initial response, the quicker we will be able to limit the spread of the disease and demonstrate to trading partners that all potentially infected animals have been traced (preferably within 48 hours for diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease) – thus limiting the impact on trade.

What are the ‘on-farm’ benefits?

The on-farm benefits of technology utilising RFID include accurate recording of production details about individual animals and using this data on those animals to support management decisions. The uses may include regularly weighing animals to sell at optimum individual weight, tracking treatments, recording breeding information, and measuring milk production. RFID also supports automatic drafting out of animals that meet pre-defined conditions. To gain on farm benefits, farmers will need a further investment in technology (for example RFID readers and software).

What will you do to make sure my information is only used for the purpose for which it was gathered?

The system will operate with very strict rules governing who have access to the data and how it can be used. Access issues and the security of data have been a fundamental design consideration.

How will NAIT fit with other official identification schemes?

NAIT tags will be incorporated into other official identification schemes. As a result a two-tag scheme will initially operate. The aim is to move to a single tag for all official purposes by 2013.

Will there be a transition process between the current and new systems?

Yes. Implementation of the NAIT system is intended to be a staged process. The system will operate initially on a non-mandatory sign-up basis in order to bed down systems and processes it is regulated in mid-2011.

Will I still need to complete an Animal Status Declaration Form (ASD form) for farm-to-farm transfers and direct-to-slaughter movement of animals?

Yes, in the short term. However, the NAIT system will enable ASDs to be partially completed (using information held on NAIT) on-line, starting from the initial sign-up implementation of NAIT in 2009.

How long is all this going to take?

It will be late 2009 or early 2010 before a full movement database system can be deployed – and three years to put in place the supporting regulatory framework for full compliance to be achieved.

Tagging of cattle with NAIT-approved RFID can start under current schemes as soon as the device standard is signed off and existing scheme administrators have adjusted their schemes accordingly. The deer industry will follow once the RFID technology has been proven for deer in the field, and industry consultation has been completed. Deer and cattle farmers will be able to sign-up for the system at any stage once the NAIT databases and interfaces have been built.

The NAIT parties want to ensure that any new system causes as little disruption to industry as possible. Detailed planning has been undertaken. To ensure a smooth transition, implementation will only occur once the system is sufficiently developed and tested. The project is currently in the design phase. During this phase industry will be asked about its technical system requirements, and public consultation on the system will take place.

Why is the sign-up period so long?

While animals can start being tagged under existing schemes from mid-2008, the databases and interfaces to support NAIT, apart from the national RFID tag registry implemented in June 2008, will not be in place until early 2010. Changes to legislation will need to be proposed, drafted and taken through a Parliamentary Select Committee where public submissions will be sought and the issues debated. While this process could start in the first half of 2009 (following completion of design), unless dealt with ‘under urgency’ legislative change will take at least a year (estimated mid-2010). Supporting regulations would then be prepared (estimated six months) and a lead-in time for full compliance of six months (mid-2011).

How do we ensure NAIT stays up to date?

NAIT will only work if the information held on it remains reliable and as complete and current as possible. To maintain high-quality data, a number of features and requirements have been built into the NAIT design, including:

  • using existing credible data sources to reduce additional administrative burden;
  • making it a legal requirement for the submission of data within defined time periods;
  • augmenting existing requirements of users, rather than replacing systems;
  • providing a range of methods for uploading data;
  • keeping the costs of uploading data low;
  • use of technology to automate animal recording, thus reducing manual error;
  • having functionality built into NAIT so it can be “switched on” quickly if needed;
  • providing clear rules and standards for universal adoption, but with some flexibility so those rules can be changed as technology and circumstances change;
  • having validation of data built into processes to manage data quality risks; and
  • designing NAIT as an enabling system, to support other information needs.

For additional questions and answers please refer to www.nait.org.nz/resources.

Contact for Enquiries

MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND

Fax: +64 4 894 0721
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