National Animal Identification and Traceability Project
The National Animal Identification and Traceability (NAIT) project started in August 2004 when industry approached the Government to work together to improve animal tracing in New Zealand. An Animal Identification and Tracing Working Group was then 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 animal tracing will continue to increase for market access, and to meet biosecurity and other on- and off-farm needs.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand is working with industry and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority to enhance New Zealand's animal identification and tracing systems, starting with cattle and deer.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry contends that changes to
these systems would allow better management of biosecurity risks and
would safeguard access to export markets for New Zealand's agricultural
products. See MAF's position on animal identification and tracing 
.
More information can be found on the Animal Identification and Tracing page on the MAF website.
Page last updated: 23 October 2009