A farmer who failed to register 295 deer into the National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme has been fined $13,750.
Under the system all cattle or deer must be fitted with a tracing tag and registered in the system by the time the animal is 180 days old, or before the animal is moved off farm.
John Wheeler, 60, was sentenced in the Timaru District Court on four charges under the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act after failing to register his animals into the system as required when they were moved off farm.
National Animal Identification and Tracing records showed the 295 deer had been tagged, but remained unregistered between May 2021 and June 2022.
"We take this seriously because the scheme provides a critical tool in the fight against biosecurity incursions," said Ministry for Primary Industries Murray Pridham.
He said the inability to trace animals can have far reaching and serious consequences for everyone.
"Put simply, when people in charge of animals disregard their National Animal Identification and Tracing obligations they put the whole agricultural sector at risk," he said.
In November 2021, Wheeler was advised by a ministry officer of his obligations and how to meet them, but records showed no animals were registered after that meeting even though Wheeler confirmed he knew what to do.
Penalties in the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act increased tenfold to $100,000 for an individual and up to $200,000 for a body corporate in 2019.
"The National Animal Identification and Tracing tag and registration system is only as effective as the information entered in. If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out. There is plenty of information, advice and support available," said Pridham.
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