Federation calls for NAIT compliance

Technical and other issues were not helping with re-registration for the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme, Federated Farmers’ dairy chairman Chris Lewis said last week, but all farmers were urged to persevere.

“This is too important to backslide on,” Mr Lewis said.

“The Mycoplasma bovis issue has highlighted why we need excellent levels of compliance with NAIT. All of us, farmers and OSPRI [Operational Solutions for Primary Industries], need to pull together to get it working well. In terms of eradicating M. bovis, to borrow the words of Ed Hillary, that’s the way we’ll knock the bastard off.”

Following the recent system upgrade, every person in charge of animals must re-register their NAIT location, but less than a week out from Gypsy Day (June 1), when hundreds of sharemilkers around the country would move their cows, equipment and families to new farms, more than 7000 dairy farms had yet to be re-registered.

“OSPRI representatives have come along to just about every one of our 24 provincial AGMs to explain current pressures on the system, and we really thank them for that. Their 0800 call centre staff are grappling with significant backlogs, and out on the farm it’s not helping that poor broadband is hindering the online processes,” Mr Lewis added.

“There is also a minority of farmers and lifestyle block holders who seem unaware, or even worse, unconcerned, about their obligations. They need to up their game.

“Re-registration, and other aspects of NAIT compliance, is essential. If you’re having technical issues with the system, or you’re trying to get through on the 0800 number, we know it’s frustrating, but please persevere.”