NAIT legislation
The NAIT legislation provides the legal authority to mandate and establish the NAIT scheme. The legislation comprises three elements, which all work coherently together to implement the NAIT scheme.
The NAIT Act
The National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Act sets out, at a high level, the obligations participants in the NAIT scheme must meet; for example: registering as a person in charge of animals. It also sets up a framework for participants to access data, recover costs and enforce obligations.
NAIT regulations
The regulations cover the mechanics and generic procedures of meeting and carrying out the requirements of the NAIT Act. For example, they cover the information that needs to be supplied when registering as a person in charge of animals.
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) released a discussion document on proposed regulations for public consultation in May 2011 and submissions have now closed. MPI is continuing its work on the development of NAIT regulations for obligations and is set to report back to cabinet in September 2011.
NAIT standards, policies and rules
The NAIT Act authorises NAIT Ltd to issues standards, policies and rules necessary for the operation of the NAIT scheme; for example, standards for identification devices (RFID ear tags) and for individuals or organisations to be accredited to provide information to NAIT on behalf of farmers.
NAIT and MPI working together
NAIT Ltd has been actively involved in discussions with MPI throughout the legislative process. Our goal has been to ensure that all three elements of the NAIT legislation work coherently together.
MPI (the Crown’s representative), in consultation with NAIT Ltd, is responsible for the Cabinet-based processes—the NAIT Act and regulations. NAIT Ltd, in consultation with MPI, is responsible for the operational requirements—the standards, policies, and rules.
