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New animal Status Declaration system progressing well

16 December 2005

A new animal status declaration (ASD) system introduced in October is well on track to being bedded in by the time it becomes mandatory on 1 January 2006, a farming industry planning group says.

The new ASD accompanies all movements of sheep, goats, cattle (except bobby calves when they are sent directly for processing), deer, alpacas, llamas, ostriches, and emus. It must also be used for horses when they are sent for processing.

The planning group that designed the new system met recently in Wellington to report on progress during the transition period. The group is made up of all New Zealand’s major farming, meat processing, stock yard and transport interests as well as regulators from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) and the Animal Health Board.

Its chairman, Meat and Wool New Zealand manager of trade and technical policy Ben O’Brien, said there was a good roll-out of the new requirements to date, with only a small number of minor teething problems being raised. These were being progressively worked through.

Mr O’Brien urged any farmers and lifestyle block owners not yet aware of the new ASD system to ask colleagues, industry associations, meat processing companies or regulators for advice on the changes before they become law on New Year’s Day.

The new form, guidelines and fact sheet are also available at:

http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/publications/forms/statements-declarations/asd/index.htm

The purpose of the ASD form is to transfer key information about the animals being transferred from one person in charge to the next (to assist in making animal husbandry decisions) and to meat processors in an effective and cost efficient way.

NZFSA Director (Market Access), Tony Zohrab, said the form is a “vital component of the market eligibility system that underpins the Government's ability to sign export certificates”.

All parties that take charge of stock – lifestyle block owners, farmers, stock and station agents, and meat processing companies – are bound by the new requirements. Where a new party takes charge of the animals they must receive a form from the previous person in charge.

The form provides key information on issues including: Tb questions (required by the Animal Health Board); food safety questions (required by NZFSA); and market access questions (to enable NZFSA to provide export certification to overseas markets).

Information supplied about groups of farm animals includes information on the history of the animals and whether they are subject to veterinary medicine withholding periods.

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For more information call Diane Robinson, Senior Communications Advisor: 04 463 2528 or
021 193 6405