National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT)

MAF involvement

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. MAF's position on animal identification and tracing is outlined here.

Background on NAIT project

The National Animal Identification and Traceability (NAIT) project dates back to 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.

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[395K PDF].

In March 2006, an Animal Identification and Tracing Governance Group was established to oversee the development of the new system under the name "NAIT" (national animal identification and tracing). As at 1 October 2009, the NAIT Governance Group members are:

  • Ian Corney, independent Chairman
  • Ted Coats, DairyNZ
  • Andrew Fox, Meat & Wool New Zealand
  • Steve Murphy, Meat Industry Association
  • John Hartnell, Federated Farmers
  • Chris Mawson, New Zealand Food Safety Authority
  • Kevin Old, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand
  • Douglas Birnie, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
  • Mark O'Connor, Deer Industry New Zealand

A new mandatory animal identification and tracing system for cattle is proposed to be in place by mid-2011. Deer will follow a year later after the mandatory introduction of cattle.

NAIT and FarmsOnLine

The Waiheke Island foot-and-mouth disease hoax in 2005 identified gaps in rural property information that could impede a biosecurity response.

To address the gaps, MAF is creating a comprehensive register of rural property information, including farm location, ownership, management and stock information. Most of the information exists already among industry and government bodies, but is not readily accessible.

The "FarmsOnLine" system will support NAIT by providing a complete source of property information to match against animal movements.

As the register will contain information on all farms, not just properties associated with NAIT (cattle and deer), it will facilitate the widest possible range of biosecurity and food safety responses.

Where NAIT is at

NAIT is currently in the design and planning phase. The focus of this phase is the production of a detailed business case that will identify, analyse and cost various options for the delivery of NAIT. An independent quality assurance process has been undertaken alongside this work.

Other activities underway during this phase include:

  • Identifying all the new costs arising from the proposed system.
  • Developing transition plans for each of the stakeholder groups (processors, saleyards, farmers, current schemes, etc) to prepare for the new system.
  • Developing the Crown's policy positions and proposed new legislation needed to mandate the system and to provide the rules around the acquisition and use of data.
  • Stakeholder consultation.

The final draft of the business case recently went to the boards of the NAIT partner organisations for endorsement. It is expected to go to the Government for approval before the end of 2009.

If the Government approves the plan, the intention is for NAIT to be mandatory for cattle in mid-2011 and for deer a year later.

The NAIT proposal

The NAIT proposal is outlined in a discussion document that was launched in June 2008 as part of the public consultation process.

Under the proposal, changes will focus on the tracking of animals from birth to post-mortem inspection at slaughter. The changes will include individual animal identification, and maintaining electronic records of all animal movements between properties. These movement records have the potential to replace the paper-based systems that are currently in place.

Initial uptake is proposed to be on a voluntary basis. From mid-2011, however, it will be a regulatory requirement. 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 - New Zealand

There are three Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry-approved animal identification schemes in place at present. These schemes were 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.

It is anticipated that there will be changes to these schemes to integrate them with NAIT. NAIT has developed standards for the use of radio frequency identification devices (RFID) as an alternative to traditional bar code tags or visual devices. NAIT-approved RFID tags will be introduced as secondary animal tags under current official schemes.

Existing Animal Identification Schemes - Overseas

As described above, the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) project is exploring the development and implementation of a system that will enable New Zealand to better manage biosecurity and food safety risks and ensure continued successful competition in premium livestock product markets.

A growing number of countries around the world have implemented systems for providing or improving existing livestock identification and tracing capability. Many of these systems are meeting similar objectives but are doing so with differing specifications and ways of operating.

A document has been prepared by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, on behalf of the NAIT partners, to inform the design and implementation of NAIT. It looks at the approaches to the identification and tracing of cattle that have been adopted in:

  • Great Britain;
  • Australia;
  • Canada;
  • The Netherlands;
  • Switzerland;
  • The United States of America;
  • Japan;
  • South Korea;
  • Argentina;
  • Brazil.

Summaries of the requirements specified by the European Union and the guidelines published by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are also provided. The paper concludes with nine high-level recommendations that highlight where any solution for achieving enhanced livestock identification and tracing in New Zealand can best take account of the lessons that have been learned overseas.

A copy of the Review of Selected Cattle Identification and Tracing Systems Worldwide is available here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated November 2009

What is NAIT?

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

Why develop a new system?

New Zealand has a number of animal identification systems that are fine for their own purposes, such as controlling bovine tuberculosis. However, it is clear that these systems will not meet New Zealand’s requirements for animal identification and tracing in the future. Some rely on paper-based records. Many operate at a herd rather than an individual animal level. Data cannot be shared. Furthermore, current systems do not hold all the required information to facilitate animal tracing and identification on a national basis.

How will NAIT improve biosecurity?

NAIT will enable cattle and deer to be traced much faster than current manual systems, and will provide more reliable and up-to-date information on animal movements. This will improve biosecurity surveillance and response efficiency.

How will NAIT safeguard market access?

New Zealand faces losing access to, or share of, premium markets if it cannot offer commercial assurances that its biosecurity systems are supported by whole-of-life traceability. The majority of these markets already have individual animal traceability. There is a high likelihood that they will demand an equivalent system to be in place in New Zealand in the future.

NAIT will also help New Zealand demonstrate to trading partners that all potentially infected animals during a disease outbreak have been contained. The quicker New Zealand can provide such assurance, the quicker it will enable the lifting of any trade restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak.

Will NAIT enable producers to get higher premiums in overseas markets?

Yes, for certain meat products that are responsive to traceability features.

Does NAIT have any other benefits?

Yes, the introduction of NAIT will allow farmers to take advantage of the farm management benefits of RFID technology. See “What are the ‘on-farm' benefits?” The beef and dairy industries will also gain a number of additional benefits, including the ability to undertake more efficient risk management programmes and to better manage endemic animal diseases.

What will farmers have to pay?

The NAIT Governance Group has worked hard to ensure that costs to farmers and industry are kept at the absolute minimum. The main cost to farmers will be electronic ear tags, which will replace the secondary tag under current two-tag identification schemes. The tag cost per animal will be around $2 or $3 more than what farmers are paying at the moment for non-electronic ear tags.

Why should farmers contribute to NAIT?

NAIT provides insurance to protect the future viability of every farming business involving NAIT species. While the benefits may not appear year after year as a cash return, NAIT will protect New Zealand farmers from some of the major consequences of a biosecurity incident. It will also protect access to higher-value markets.

What do farmers currently think about animal traceability?

There is currently a high level of support/acceptance for the project among farmers, based on the results of a comprehensive stakeholder engagement and communications programme. An independent farmer survey undertaken in early 2009 showed that, on average, farmers are supportive of a mandatory traceability system, with a far greater number expressing support (58%) than those against it (17%).

Why can't NAIT be voluntary for farmers?

Under a voluntary system, identification and movement information about cattle and deer nationwide would be incomplete and less accurate compared with a mandatory system. The end result would be higher costs and a slower response in the event of a biosecurity outbreak. This in turn would cause a slower return to market post-response and therefore a far higher impact on overall costs to the industry. A voluntary system would also lack credibility among key trading partners.

Will NAIT 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 in the future.

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;
  • notify NAIT when animals are recieved from saleyards.

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.

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.

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 owners/persons in charge of larger herds.

I'm a farmer - how will I get my information onto NAIT?

You will be able to access NAIT online 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 the NAIT proposal, only cattle and deer will have to be tagged. NAIT will require:

  • All cattle and deer will have to be tagged with a NAIT-approved tag (which will replace the secondary tag under current official animal identification schemes).
  • Animals to be tagged within 180 days of their birth, or at the time of first contact with the animal (whichever comes first).
  • Animals to be tagged prior to their first movement from the farm, regardless of age. The only planned exception is for calves less than 30-days-old going direct to slaughter.

Once NAIT becomes a mandatory requirement, there will be an exemption of three years from tagging capital stock that does not leave the farm.

Do I need to tag bobby calves?

Existing commercial arrangements are considered adequate for traceability of calves less than 30-days-old going directly to slaughter. Such animals will not be recorded on NAIT as any biosecurity/infectious disease risk from these calves is minimal. However, this exemption will not apply to calves going to other properties and calves 30 days or older.

What is RFID and how will it work with NAIT?

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. NAIT RFID tags will 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 tracing systems and will be a key component of the NAIT system. NAIT RFID tags for cattle and deer will be introduced via existing official animal identification schemes. Use of the tags will become regulated for cattle by mid-2011 and for deer a year later.

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

No. It is currently more efficient to record and modify data in a database than on individual tags. In addition, if information is 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?

Yes, but the tag will have to be NAIT-compliant. With the exception of calves under 30-days-old going directly to slaughter, all cattle and deer will need to be individually identified with RFID tags and recorded onto the NAIT database. The NAIT system requires information about the location of animals at any given point of time. This information is needed in the event of a biosecurity outbreak so that at-risk animals can be identified quickly.

See also, "Do I need to tag bobby calves?"

Can I use tail tags?

No, not as official NAIT 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. Re-use of tags for some animal species may be considered as a future enhancement, but will not be initially permitted under NAIT.

Have farmers and processors had any input into the system design?

Yes. Farmers and processors are currently represented on the project by their respective industry organisations, which have participated in project development and all major decisions.

What are the on-farm benefits of RFID technology?

The on-farm benefits include accurate recording of production details about individual animals and using this data 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 to make 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 has 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 as secondary tags under existing official identification schemes. The aim is to move to a single tag for all official purposes in the medium-term.

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 until it is regulated in mid-2011.

Will I still need to complete an Animal Status Declaration (ASD) form for animal movements?

Yes, in the short-term. However, the NAIT system will enable ASDs to be partially completed (using information held on NAIT) on-line.

How long is all this going to take?

It will take until mid-2011 to put in place the supporting regulatory framework for full compliance.

Tagging of cattle with NAIT-approved RFID is already possible under the Animal Health Board and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) programmes. Deer and cattle farmers will be able to sign-up to the NAIT system and start recording animal movement information as soon as the NAIT databases and interfaces have been built.

Why is it going to take so long?

While animals can already be tagged under existing schemes, the database and interfaces to support NAIT will not be in place for some months. In addition, changes to legislation will need to be proposed, drafted and taken through a Parliamentary Select Committee before supporting regulations can be prepared.

When should farmers start using NAIT-compliant RFID tags?

Farmers should consider early adoption of the tags, ie. before NAIT becomes mandatory. Early adoption will avoid the costs of re-tagging stock in the future. It is also a lot easier and safer to tag juvenile rather than fully grown animals.

How will you ensure NAIT stays up to date?

NAIT will only work if the information it holds is accurate and remains current. To maintain high quality data, a number of features and requirements have been built into the NAIT design, including:

  • Making it a legal requirement for the submission of data within defined time periods.
  • Keeping processes for farmers as similar as possible to those currently used'.
  • 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.

Further information

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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