OSPRI News: November 2021

Get the latest updates from OSPRI in our November 2021 newsletter.

Traceability has improved - but there is still work to do

The recent independent review into the M. bovis outbreak in 2017 confirmed what we largely already knew - that the NAIT system was not fit for purpose, with poor and incomplete NAIT records significantly increasing the time and resources required to trace and eliminate the disease from infected stock.

Three years on, we’re making steady progress and we're pleased to see a record number of farmers adopting good on-farm traceability and biosecurity practices, including increased compliance with NAIT.
Stabilising the traceability scheme

Aerial pest control update

Possum control is a major part of our TBfree programme.

While it’s been a disruptive year, we have still managed to progress this crucial work. You can check the status of aerial pest control operations in your region on our website.

Thinking outside the box

Head of Traceability, Kevin Forward, is no stranger to thinking outside the box to improve processes. Now he’s doing the same with NAIT, exploring new and innovative ways to improve compliance as part of an applied business research project for his Executive MBA at Massey.

In his project, Kevin is looking at whether market-led incentives would improve compliance. To help inform his thinking, Kevin is asking cattle and deer farmers, lifestylers, stock and station agents, meat processors and dairy companies for their views in a short survey.

Sending animals off to summer grazing?

If you’re moving animals for grazing this summer, remember to record a movement in NAIT and ensure the grazier has a NAIT location number.

This supports disease management and means your animals are traceable when they come back.

Submission period closed on the Proposed National Aerial Operations Plan 

Thank you to everyone that provided feedback on our proposed National Aerial Operations Plan 2022. The submission period is now closed, and your feedback will be used to help inform the final proposal.

Our Regional Partners will be in touch with those that made submissions mid-December to give an update on any changes made to the plan.