The NAIT scheme will link people, property and livestock, through electronic ear tags for cattle and deer and a central database.

It will strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system to assure our overseas markets that a livestock disease can be quickly contained in the event of any biosecurity incident.

“To be ready for the NAIT scheme, NAIT Limited urges farmers and people in charge of cattle and deer to register now with NAIT. Don’t wait until the last minute,” NAIT Ltd chief executive Russell Burnard said.

To register:

* Go to www.nait.co.nz and register online, or

* Contact NAIT for registration assistance on 0800 624 843, or

* Use a NAIT-accredited information provider (once they are approved) to complete your registration. Ask your local livestock company, meat processor or rural services provider if they can help.

People registering will need to supply NAIT with some personal information and farm details. During registration, a NAIT number is created which people in charge of cattle and deer will need to use for all their NAIT transactions when NAIT is mandatory.

The NAIT number links the person in charge of animals with the animals’ location, and the animals themselves.

“It is the property location of the animals rather than property ownership which is important for lifetime traceability.

“When creating a NAIT number, have your Animal Health Board herd number handy. If you buy ear tags using a participant code, have that number handy also as this will help to link tags you have purchased to your NAIT number,” Mr Burnard said.

Animal registration will be available when the scheme is mandatory.

When the NAIT scheme is mandatory, people in charge of cattle and deer will have to:

* Register with NAIT to get a NAIT number

* Identify every property on which they have cattle and deer they are in charge of

* Tag cattle and deer with NAIT-approved radio frequency identification device (RFID) ear tags, and register those animals with NAIT

* Report to NAIT when cattle and deer are moved off-farm or received onto a property

* Report deaths, losses or live exports of cattle and deer

NAIT Ltd is the industry-owned company responsible for implementing the NAIT scheme. For more information visit www.nait.co.nz