Livestock traceability tool to be developed

Government and key primary industry players are working together to develop and online tool that captures key information about livestock status and movements.

The team working on the project includes representatives from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) and OSPRI which manages the national animal and traceability programme, NAIT.

Livestock owners must already supply an Animal Status Declaration (ASD) form when animals are moved from a property and when they receive them.

The project is building on the ASD process given its importance to the entire traceability system alongside NAIT.

RMPP general manager Michael Smith said the current ASD process was managed using a paper form so this initiative was looking to make the process more efficient and easier for both farmers and industry by minimising the need for data re-entry.

“We are also aware of rural connectivity issues and will work to reduce the impact as much as possible.”

For meat processors, ASD information provides key details about an animal’s health status and also information to meet licencing, customer and trading verification requirements.

It also incorporates the TB questions required under the Biosecurity National Bovine Tuberculosis Pest Management Strategy Order 1998.

“This initiative will enhance our ability to trace an animal’s history accurately from birth to slaughter and seeks to address the growing industry demands associated with biosecurity, market assurance and food safety.”

The roll out of the online tool will initially focus on direct farm-to-meat processor movements for a small number of RMPP processing sites and farmers.