Call OSPRI if you’re moving this Gypsy Day

19 May 2015

Call OSPRI if you’re moving this Gypsy Day

Don’t put your livelihood at risk when moving or selling stock over the Gypsy Day period; make sure you call OSPRI to update your NAIT and TBfree details and record all animal movements.

“This will help protect New Zealand’s reputation as a producer of high quality, safe food and maintain access to valuable international markets,” said Dr Stu Hutchings, OSPRI Group Manager.

Up to date NAIT data allows farmers to get back to business sooner in the event of a biosecurity incursion or food safety concern and is already being used to contain existing animal diseases like bovine tuberculosis (TB).

“By keeping their NAIT and TBfree details up to date farmers can have peace of mind that livestock – not animal disease – will be the only thing they move around the country on Gypsy Day,” said Dr Hutchings.

NAIT data is used to trace the movements of potentially infected stock, both on and off farm, so the source of the disease can be identified and special TB testing programmes established to contain the infection.

As long as your contact details and location are up to date, OSPRI can call you when your herd is due for a TB test. Updating your details is quick and easy and a pivotal part of keeping TB under control.

To protect your farming business, herdowners should follow these simple steps when moving or selling stock this Gypsy Day.

Update your contact details with OSPRI’s NAIT and TBfree programmes.
Check the TB status and testing requirements of the area into which you’re moving cattle.

Correctly complete an animal status declaration (ASD) form when shifting stock and do not accept any animals onto your farm if they’re not accompanied by a correctly filled out ASD form.

If you’re in a movement control area, all animals must have a pre-movement TB test within 60 days of being shifted off farm.

Record all animal movements in the NAIT system, including movements both off and onto the farm.

Farmers can complete all of these steps by simply calling OSPRI on 0800 482 463.

OSPRI helps protect and enhance the reputation of New Zealand’s primary industries. It currently runs the NAIT and TBfree programmes.

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