Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) welcomes the Government’s passing of amendments today to improve the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act.

Dave Harrison, B+LNZ’s General Manager Policy and Advocacy, said: “Mycoplasma bovis has demonstrated that it is critical to be able to trace movements of animals between farms in the event of a biosecurity incursion and effective compliance forms an important part of that process.

“The amendments today represent a good first step towards improving the NAIT system and provide greater clarity about enforcement.

“Those farmers who work hard to comply with NAIT requirements have increasingly been asking for stronger penalties and compliance actions against those who put the industry at risk and this will give them confidence that some action is being taken.

“Beef + Lamb New Zealand looks forward to working with the Government on further improvements to NAIT to ensure it meets New Zealand’s biosecurity interests and the needs of farmers.”

ENDS

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