Beef + Lamb New Zealand believes making electronic Animal Status Declarations (eASDs) mandatory is the most practical and cost effective way to improve sheep traceability.Beef + Lamb New Zealand believes making electronic Animal Status Declarations (eASDs) mandatory is the most practical and cost effective way to improve sheep traceability.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) recently completed consultation on three options to strengthen traceability for sheep.
Following engagement and input from farmers, B+LNZ recommends Option 2 – mandating eASDs for mob-based tracing.
“Mob-based tracing - rather than individual tagging – is the right fit for sheep,” says Chris Houston, B+LNZ Head of Technical Policy.
“It keeps things simple while still delivering a step-change in traceability.
“An outbreak of a disease like foot and mouth would have serious consequences for farmers and the wider economy. We need systems that help us respond quickly, without adding unnecessary cost or complexity on farm.”
Why eASDs?
Currently, sheep movements are recorded using a mix of paper and electronic ASDs. While paper works, it can slow things down during a disease response.
“Tracing movements through paper records takes time - and in an outbreak, time matters,” says Chris.
“Moving fully to electronic systems means movements can be recorded online or via a phone app, improving speed and accuracy without introducing individual tagging.”
Feedback from farmers and processors already using eASDs has been positive.
“They’re finding the system easy to use, more efficient and simpler to fix errors when they occur. That means less hassle for processors and fewer knock-on issues for farmers.”
The options MPI consulted on:
- Option 1: Keep the current system (paper and electronic ASDs)
- Option 2: Make eASDs mandatory for mob-based tracing (B+LNZ’s preferred option)
- Option 3: Bring sheep and pigs into NAIT for mob-level tracing
Why not NAIT for sheep?
B+LNZ does not support Option 3.
“There are concerns this option could lead to ear tagging of sheep, which would add significant cost and complexity,” says Chris.
“It would also take longer to introduce, delaying improvements we can make now through eASDs.”
Building on what already works
Option 2 builds on existing systems, requires fewer legislative changes and can be implemented faster.
“The response to Mycoplasma bovis showed how important it is to trace animal movements quickly,” says Chris.
“eASDs are a practical step forward – improving traceability in a way that works for sheep farmers.”
You can read the B+LNZ submission here (PDF, 327KB)