FAQs for meat processors

  1. Will Meat processors have additional costs?

    Meat processors will have to invest in tag readers to record individual animals entering their premises. In addition, they may need to modify their premises and amend their processes and management systems.

    One-off costs for New Zealand’s 45 meat processors to set up for NAIT are estimated to be $1.2 million in total. For New Zealand’s sale yards and stock and station agents, set-up costs will be an estimated $6 million in total. Annual costs for livestock companies and meat processors are estimated to be $1.3 million and $0.25 million respectively.

     

  2. What happens to the RFID ear tag when an animal dies or is slaughtered?

    When the animal dies or is slaughtered, its NAIT-approved RFID ear tag is destroyed. This is in keeping with overseas protocols, where animal identification systems use the unique identifiers only once to maintain the integrity of the system.

     

  3. Do I need to NAIT tag bobby calves?

    No. Bobby calves (animals less than 30-days-old going directly to slaughter) are not part of the NAIT scheme and will not require NAIT-approved RFID ear tags. Continue using a direct-to-slaughter tag issued by meat processing companies.

     

  4. Can the RFID tag store any of the animals life data in it?

    No, the only information in the tag is it's unique 16 digit number, this cannot be over written.

     

  5. Can I read an animals RFID tag from across the paddock or yards?

    No, tags have a relatively short read range to enable them to be used for individual recording in a yarded environment.

     

  6. When NAIT is mandatory will there still be a requirement for ASD forms?

    Yes. Animal Status Declaration (ASD) forms will continue to be required as per current Animal Health Board (AHB) requirements.

     

  7. When will I need to record animal movement information with NAIT?

    Providing NAIT with movement information will be mandatory for cattle on 1 July 2012, and for deer from March 2013, pending the passing of legislation.

     

  8. My animals go direct-to-slaughter. What ear tags do I need to use?

    Prior to 1 November 2011, continue to use a yellow bar-coded primary or bar-coded direct-to-slaughter ear tag. From 1 November 2011 to 1 July 2012 you have a choice of using either a yellow bar-coded primary or bar-coded direct-to-slaughter ear tag or using a NAIT-approved RFID ear tag.

    Once NAIT becomes mandatory, all animals going directly to slaughter will require a NAIT-approved RFID primary ear tag only.

     

  9. How will I provide information to NAIT?

    When NAIT is operational, you will be able to provide information to NAIT directly online via the internet. This can be by system-to-system interface or a web based user interface.