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Proposed options to improve the traceability of pigs and sheep

Updates

19 March 2026 – Webinar presentations published

Following the webinars that we held on 11 March and 19 March, we published the presentation slides.

Webinar presentation slides: Options for improving pig and sheep traceability [PDF, 1.6 MB]

19 February 2026 – Closing time extended and webinars

The consultation closing time was extended by 7 hours. Submissions were accepted up to 11.59pm on 5 April 2026.  

We also confirmed dates and times for 2 public webinars to outline the proposals in more detail.

Background to this consultation

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sought your feedback on options to improve the traceability of pigs and sheep in New Zealand.

The proposed options aimed to:

  • provide a rapid traceability system for pigs and sheep during an outbreak of foot and mouth disease
  • improve animal traceability for any future diseases.

This consultation opened on 16 February 2026 and closed at 11.59pm on 5 April 2026. 

What was proposed?

MPI consulted on 3 options. The aim was to improve our ability to trace pigs and sheep rapidly and accurately during an animal disease response, especially foot and mouth disease. The options were not mutually exclusive because the best option for each species could be different because of their production systems or trade requirements. 

Option 1: Retain the status quo – pigs and sheep continue to be traced through animal status declarations under the Animal Products Act 1999 in paper or PDF form.

Option 2: Mandating the use of (mob-level) pig and sheep electronic animal status declarations under the Animal Products Act 1999.

Option 3: Include pigs and sheep as National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) animals under the NAIT Act 2012, at mob level.

Full details were in the consultation document.

Consultation document

Discussion document: Options for improving pig and sheep traceability [PDF, 461 KB]

Related legislation

Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012 – NZ Legislation

Animal Products Act 1999 – NZ Legislation

Webinars

MPI hosted 2 public webinars in March to outline the proposals in more detail.

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation