Broad support for changes to Animal Identification

The wider livestock farming community is in broad agreement with proposed changes to the national animal identification system according to a report on the results of a consultation on the subject by the Animal Identification and Traceability Working Group.

Working Group chairman Jeff Grant says there was a good response to their consultation document having received 83 submissions.

“The report that we’ve just released highlights the results from the submissions made to the group and also contains an analysis and response from the Working Group. We were pleased to see that most of the submissions came from people and organisations involved in the industry.”

“Most of the submissions supported, in principle, the proposed changes, however we’re aware that extensive development of the concept and the practicalities associated with changes to the system is needed.”

Jeff Grant says the next step for the working group is to establish a Governance Group to take responsibility for the continuation of the process.

“The Governance Group will consist of representatives nominated by the pastoral sector organisations on the Working Group. One of the first tasks of the Governance Group will be to seek funding from Government and levy organisations to put a plan together so they can complete the project and make sure it’s implemented nationally.”

Copies of the summary and analysis of submissions are available electronically on the following websites

http://www.dairyinsight.co.nz http://www.deernz.org

http://www.fedfarm.org.nz http://www.fencepost.com

http://www.meatandwoolnz.com http://www.mia.co.nz

http://www.maf.govt.nz

Paper copies are available from:

The Secretary

Animal Identification and Traceability Working Group

PO Box 121

Wellington

Ph. 04 474 0804

Email bridget.peachey@meatandwoolnz.com

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