A livestock trader who failed to declare the movement of 513 cattle under the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Act, has been fined $10,000.
Under the Act, all cattle or deer must be fitted with a NAIT tag and registered in the NAIT system by the time the animal is 180 days old, or before the animal is moved off farm.
Dallas Garry Gerken (31) was today sentenced in the Ashburton District Court (10 November 25) on 2 charges he pleaded guilty to under the NAIT Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
The animals were moved to different North Island farms from Canterbury without their movements being recorded into the NAIT system.
"This was hundreds of animals, and it only takes one animal to potentially cause a biosecurity problem, as we have learned from our experience with Mycoplasma bovis," says MPI manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance south, Peter Hyde.
"The NAIT tag and registration system is only as effective as the information that’s entered. If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out to our partners at OSPRI. There is plenty of information, advice and support available."
An audit of the animal movement history found that between December 2023 and May 2024, 121 cattle were moved to 3 North Island registered NAIT locations without that movement being recorded.
Additionally, 392 other cattle were moved to 10 North Island registered NAIT locations without that movement being registered.
"MPI takes non-compliance with NAIT seriously. The scheme provides a critical tool in the fight against biosecurity incursions. Put simply, when people in charge of animals disregard their NAIT obligations they put the whole agricultural sector at risk," says Peter Hyde.
More information on NAIT and expectations of people in charge of animals – OSPRI
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
