A lack of funding is delaying the implementation of new industry regulations to underpin the conduct of stock and station agents.
Kevin Forward, the head of traceability with NAIT, said despite widespread industry agreement on a draft standard, his organisation does not have the funding to complete and enforce the new regulations.
“It’s not off the table. At the moment we do not have the funding to implement it,” said Forward.
He could not say how much was needed.
Steve Morrison, chair of the NZ Stock and Station Agents Association, said his organisation has worked constructively to create a standard.
“We have not pushed back on a regulatory arrangement, we’ve participated progressively.”
The agreed standard follows an investigation that found significant shortfalls in the recording of stock movement, which accentuated the Mycoplasma bovis response.
It was also prompted by the 2021 conviction for fraud of former Otago stock agent John Williams.
Forward said discussion with the industry and farmers led to the standard, which would cover any entities trading in animals covered by NAIT.
The standard included accreditation and licensing of agents and standards that must be met, including completing registration of livestock movements.
As a fallback, the law allows the minister of agriculture to increase requirements and obligations on the sector should that be required.
Forward said while the majority of agents will be captured by the standard, if farmers choose to deal with those who are not registered, they face multiple risks.
Morrison said the association continues to operate under self-regulation but the low number of complaints indicates a far-reaching policy may not be needed.
“We don’t think it warrants a large scheme due to that lack of recourse. We were happy with a moderately priced option progressed by NAIT.”
Association board member Ed Marfell oversees any complaints of members and said he has dealt with very few in the past 18 months.
Those that he has received were resolved with a phone call to the management of the company in question.
