HGP requirements
In New Zealand, the use of HGPs implanted into bovine animals is strictly controlled through the Animal Products Notice: Hormonal Growth Promotants. You need to be familiar with your full legal obligations.
Animal Products Notice: Hormonal Growth Promotants [PDF, 210 KB]
They are also registered under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act 1997.
Using HGPs on cattle
There are very particular requirements for farmers and veterinarians about how HGPs are implanted and how those cattle are identified.
Implanting HGPs
The HGP implant must be implanted only under the skin of the animal's ear.
Ear tags
All implanted cattle must be identified prior to the HGP implantation with 2 tags:
- MPI's approved HGP ear tag – this tag must not be used for any other purpose other than identifying HGP treated cattle
- a NAIT-approved RFID tag that is registered in the NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing) online system.
Responsibilities of farmers and veterinarians
Owners or persons-in-charge and veterinarians have specific responsibilities with the use of HGPs, keeping records, and maintaining the identification of HGP-treated cattle.
Only a veterinarian (or a trained technician under their direct control) can authorise and administer an HGP. All identification and treatment details must be recorded and reported to MPI. Farmers must ensure any lost tags are replaced and new NAIT tag numbers are provided to veterinarians for MPI reporting.
HGP responsibilities for farmers
Checking HGP compliance
All HGP use must comply with label instructions and approved product specifications. Failure to do so may result in penalties under the ACVM Act and Animal Products Act 1999.
Farms and veterinary practices may be audited to verify that the HGP usage requirements are being met. Regular audits are completed in export cattle slaughter premises and individual cattle ear tags and tag numbers are checked at slaughter against HGP recorded details.
If requirements aren't met, it is an offence under the Animal Products Act. You could face a range of penalties, depending on the results of the investigation. For failing to comply with MPI's HGP implantation and record-keeping requirements:
- individuals can be fined up to $20,000
- farms run as companies can be fined up to $100,000.
