Ospri head of traceability Kevin Forward says registration will only apply to those involved in transacted animals covered by Nait, primarily cattle and deer, but he is confident it will capture those involved in the sale or exchange of sheep.
Stock agents and livestock traders will have to be registered from later this year in a new system being administered by Ospri.
The requirement is part of an expanded role for a new Nait standard originally being prepared to improve compliance with animal movement registration, identified as accentuating the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak.
The proposed standard was extended to include stock agents and livestock traders after a request from Federated Farmers, who say they were responding to growing complaints from farmers about their actions.
A registration system also has the support of the NZ Stock and Station Agents Association (NZSSAA).
It will apply to individuals or organisations that regularly engage as a third party in the sale, gift, or exchange of Nait animals and includes stock and station agents, livestock brokers, livestock traders and meat processor procurement representatives.
Federation board member Wayne Langford said the registration will improve transparency.
In the days leading up to the M bovis outbreak, he said cattle were traded without any tracking, meaning buyers had no idea where stock originated.
“We think it will show greater transparency of animal movement and provide farmers with information about where livestock has come from,” Langford said.
He said the registration will inevitably mean costs will be passed onto farmers.
“We see it as good insurance for farmers and the industry to protect animal movement, the Nait system and biosecurity on-farm.”
Ospri head of traceability Kevin Forward says registration will only apply to those involved in transacted animals covered by Nait, primarily cattle and deer, but he is confident it will capture those involved in the sale or exchange of sheep.
“The industry has told us very few people only trade in one animal type, so this will capture the vast majority,” Forward said.
NZSSAA president Steve Morrison supports some form of regulation of agents to provide farmers with a degree of certainty over the behaviour and performance of agents and brokers.
He said the current process is voluntary and does not include everyone involved in the selling or brokering of livestock.
Under the proposal, agents will be required to first apply to Nait for registration.
They will then have to re-register each year while upholding industry standards such as being a fit and proper person and having an understanding of the Nait scheme’s purpose and process.
Complaints will be heard by an independent disciplinary committee and non-compliance could mean sanctions imposed such as monitoring, being subject to an audit, suspension or deregistration.
Forward said there are benefits to agents from being registered.
It will provide agents and their clients with confidence industry standards are being maintained and they will also have access to Nait systems and processes, which will simplify the recording of stock movement.
Equally, he said it will give the process more legal teeth against those who act improperly.
The registration process will be phased-in alongside Nait technology upgrades once the Minister of Agriculture signs off the standard, possibly in July.
But exactly how many people will be required to be registered is unknown and Forward said it will take some time to ensure all of those who should be are registered.
Last month Rural Livestock director John Faulks called for agents to be registered, saying livestock owners needed protection given the ease with which new entrants can enter the industry and the increasing value of transactions they are handling.
“It is good for the industry that something is being done,” Faulks said of the latest developments.
Ed Marfell, who chairs the NZSSAA’s complaints committee, said the industry has been built on trust and relationships.
He said the onus is on farmers to ensure agents they deal with are reputable.
