May 27, 2011

New Zealand postpones cattle tracking scheme 

A debatable system in New Zealand that involves farmers to tag and trace cattle from November has been delayed to mid to late following year.

Agriculture and Forestry Ministry deputy director-general Peter Thomson said delaying the launch of the National Animal Identification and Tracing (Nait) scheme would give Parliament time to pass the necessary legislation and would ensure the computer system supporting the scheme was ready.

Federated Farmers spokesman Lachlan McKenzie said the delay presented an opportunity to improve the scheme and better synchronise Nait with the roll-out of broadband in rural areas which was critical if farmers were to use the system.

The lobby group has been a vocal opponent of Nait, which is designed to improve the traceability of animals so they can be tracked during disease outbreaks and to tell consumers where their meat comes from.

"Since the government is clear that it wants compulsion, then we need a system that will generate real value to farmers. It should be about improving the farmer's bottom line by demonstrating real productive value inside the farm gate."

Thomson said Nait would be mandatory in 2012 and encouraged farmers to continue tagging new cattle with approved ear tags to avoid having to retag them next year.

The scheme, which will later include deer, is expected to cost about NZD15.7 million (US$12.8 million) to set up and NZD6 million (US$4.9 million) to operate annually, and provide about NZD38 million (US$31 million) in benefits a year.