Online livestock traceability tool for market access

Government and industry team up to trial online livestock traceability tool for market access

Government and key primary industry players are working together to develop an online tool that captures key information about livestock status and movements as they move through the supply chain.

The team working on the project include representatives from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) and OSPRI which manages the national animal identification and traceability programme, NAIT. Livestock owners must already supply an Animal Status Declaration (ASD) form when animals are moved from a property and when they receive them. This project is building on the ASD process given its importance to the entire traceability system alongside NAIT.

Michael Smith, RMPP General Manager says ‘The current ASD process is managed using a paper form so this initiative is looking to make the process more efficient and easier for both farmers and industry, for instance, by minimising the need for data re-entry.” “We are also aware of rural connectivity issues and will work to reduce the impact as much as possible”.

For meat processors, ASD information provides key details about an animal’s health status and also information to meet licencing, customer and trading verification requirements. It also incorporates the TB questions required under the Biosecurity National Bovine Tuberculosis Pest Management Strategy Order 1998.

‘This initiative will enhance our ability to trace an animal’s history accurately from birth to slaughter and seeks to address the growing industry demands associated with biosecurity, market assurance and food safety.” OSPRI Group Manager Kayo Sakey says. “It is also an exciting opportunity to bring greater efficiencies for farmers and industry by more closely integrating the two major tools that underpin the national traceability framework.’

‘Beyond the trial period, we are keen to turn two of the animal movement related activities (NAIT animal movements and ASD) into a single transaction, such that electronic ID verification aligns with consignment level data and information.’

The roll out of the online tool will initially focus on direct farm-to-meat processor movements for a small number of RMPP processing sites and farmers. This initiative builds on OSPRI’s service delivery capabilities that are underpinned by robust data and systems management.

Background
RMPP is a red meat sector and government partnership designed to boost productivity and profitability with ten partners, Alliance Group, ANZCO Foods, ANZ, B&L NZ, Blue Sky Meats, Greenlea Premier Meats, Progressive Meats, Rabobank and Silver Fern Farms, in collaboration with MPI through its Primary Growth Partnership programme. AFFCO are also contributing to the eASD project.

OSPRI helps protect and enhance the reputation of New Zealand’s primary industries. It currently runs the NAIT and TBfree programmes.

ends

© Scoop Media