National Animal Identification and Tracing Project

NAIT will be implemented in 2012, making it one of the biggest initiatives for the primary sector this year.

The scheme is mandatory for cattle from 1 July 2012, and for deer from 1 March 2013.

NAIT is a robust IT system to individually tag livestock with electronic ear tags. In the event of a biosecurity alert, infected animals can be quickly identified and traced by their individual tag number, location, and the person responsible for that animal.

The scheme will strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system by assuring its export markets that it can quickly and effectively manage any disease outbreak. This will reduce any negative effect on the agriculture industry and economy. Read MAF's position on animal identification and tracing (offsite link to www.maf.govt.nz).

The Government and industry have agreed to share the NAIT costs. The Government has contributed to establishment costs and ongoing operational costs. DairyNZ, Beef+Lamb New Zealand and Deer Industry New Zealand have provided financial support for establishment costs, and once NAIT is mandatory, their share of ongoing operational costs will be recovered from farmers through levies.

NAIT Limited is the company set up to implement the scheme. It is governed by an independent board of directors and supported by a stakeholder reference group.

For more about NAIT, visit www.nait.co.nz (offsite link to www.nait.co.nz).

Key Crown Activities to deliver NAIT

April/July 2011 Primary Production Select Committee will hold hearings and deliberate on the NAIT Bill.
May 2011 Release of public discussion document on regulations for obligations and exemptions (offsite link to www.maf.govt.nz)

Existing Animal Identification Schemes in New Zealand

There are four Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry-approved animal identification set up under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and the Biosecurity (Animal Identification Systems) Regulations 1999:

  • MINDA, managed by Livestock Improvement Corporation.
  • The CRV Ambreed scheme
  • National Bovine Tuberculosis Identification Programme, administered by the Animal Health Board.
  • Tracking of imported live animals, managed by MAF.

Under the Animal Products Act 1999, a separate HGP scheme (offsite link to www.foodsafety.govt.nz) is also administered by MAF for cattle treated with hormone growth promotants in order to exclude these animals from supply to some markets.]

Some changes to these schemes will be implemented to integrate them with the NAIT scheme as appropriate. Other information on NAIT can be found at the NAIT website (offsite link to www.nait.co.nz)

Page last updated: 29 February 2012