New Zealand farmers are facing increased levies for the NAIT livestock tracking program.

Since the beginning of September, new fees have come into effect for participants in the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) program, which is implemented by the OSPRI organization with the support of the government and industry representatives. The cost of tags for cattle and deer has increased by 39%, reaching $1.35. The levy for processing one head of cattle has risen by 28%, reaching $1.91.

This decision was made despite protests from 63% of respondents who participated in the June–July consultations. Farmers and processors expressed concerns regarding the affordability of the new tariffs, as well as issues of governance and trust in the quality of services provided. Nevertheless, industry organizations, including DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb New Zealand, supported the initiative.

OSPRI Deputy Chief Executive Simon Andrew explained that the organization needed to strike a balance between the financial burden on businesses and the need to modernize the NAIT system. The current platform has been criticized for its complex user interface, data access issues, and poor performance on mobile devices. Currently, OSPRI is working with an unnamed third-party developer to create updated software optimized for smartphones, tablets, and computers. The new system will include step-by-step guidance and integration with external platforms, such as the MINDA herd management system from the Livestock Improvement Corporation.

The fee increase is also linked to the need to address a $1.38 million budget deficit resulting from historical under-collection of funds from livestock enterprises. According to Simon Andrew, the fee review is aimed at restoring the funding balance between the government and the industry.

In addition to administering NAIT, OSPRI is responsible for controlling the spread of bovine tuberculosis. The organization has announced an adjustment to the TB-Free program strategy: the focus is shifting from mass testing on all farms to targeted checks in high-risk areas. The resources released are planned to be directed toward controlling possums, which are carriers of this disease. At present, 17 tuberculosis-infected herds have been recorded across various regions of New Zealand.