Advice to farmers following NAIT delay

The Animal Health Board (AHB) is offering updated advice to cattle farmers following today's announcement of the deferral of the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) system.

From 1 November 2011, NAIT RFID tags will be approved as an optional primary ear tag, but only for movements other than to slaughter.

Until further notice, all cattle being consigned to slaughter must be identified with either bar-coded primary tags, or bar-coded "direct to slaughter" tags. Both need to be AHB-approved.

NAIT RFID tags have previously been approved by the AHB as secondary tags and, more recently, as a primary tag for cattle born after 1 March 2011 if moving other than to slaughter.

For movements other than to slaughter after 1 November, cattle farmers will be able to choose as their primary tag either a NAIT RFID tag, or an AHB bar-coded primary tag.

Farmers must also comply with existing requirements to use secondary tags.

AHB Chief Executive William McCook said: "In light of today's announcement, it is important for TB control and market access purposes that we continue to retain the ability to identify animals at slaughter plants. Bar-coded tags must continue to be used for this purpose until NAIT comes into effect."

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