Deer farmer fined for not tagging animals

A Pukekohe deer farmer has been fined $12,000 for not tagging 278 animals beneath the Nationwide Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme.

Underneath the scheme, all cattle or deer should be fitted with a NAIT tag and registered within the NAIT system by the point the animal is 180 days outdated, or earlier than the animal is moved off farm.

Lester Harrison Nixon (age 73) was sentenced final week within the Papakura District Court docket on two prices beneath the Nationwide Animal Identification and Tracing Act, following a prosecution by the Ministry for Major Industries (MPI).

Nixon has three properties registered within the NAIT database.

“NAIT tags are there to trace and hint animals,” says MPI performing nationwide supervisor animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen.

“They play a essential position in serving to to make sure we are able to reply shortly and precisely within the occasion of a biosecurity incursion,” he says. “When individuals in command of animals disregard their NAIT obligations they put the entire agricultural sector in danger.”

MPI made inquiries with Nixon about excellent animal actions on his NAIT account in 2021.

“We discovered Mr Nixon had made little effort to adjust to the NAIT system, advising us that he doesn’t tag his deer till simply earlier than they’re transported. He stated he doesn’t register the tags and that he had farmed for over 30 years with out it (NAIT),” says Mikkelsen.

Throughout a search of one of many properties the place Nixon had NAIT animals grazing, MPI discovered 132 deer not fitted with a NAIT tag and at one other of Nixon’s properties, an extra 146 deer had been additionally not fitted with tags.

In 2019, penalties within the NAIT Act elevated tenfold to $100,000 for a person, and as much as $200,000 for a physique company. 

Mikkelsen says whereas receiving one among these penalties might damage the underside line for individuals in command of animals, the shortcoming to hint animals can have far reaching and severe penalties for everybody.

“The NAIT tag and registration system is just as efficient as the knowledge entered in. If you’re not sure about what it’s worthwhile to do, attain out. There’s loads of info, recommendation and assist obtainable,” he says.