Taranaki farmer fined $21k for undeclared cattle and illegal stock movement

The farmer had been reminded of his NAIT obligations back in 2019. File photo / Ilona Hanne

A Taranaki dairy and beef farmer who failed to register and declare the movements of hundreds of cattle into the NAIT system has been fined $21,000.

Darrell Bernard Hickey, 60, was sentenced on four charges under the NAIT Act, in the Hāwera District Court, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

“This was hundreds of animals, and it only takes one animal to potentially cause a biosecurity problem, as we have learned from our experience with Mycoplasma bovis,” said MPI regional manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance Joanna Tuckwell.

Records showed that between August 2022 and October 2023, 142 of Hickey’s cattle left three separate NAIT locations without being registered in the NAIT system. During the same period, Hickey failed to declare the movement of 323 animals on to and off his NAIT locations.

The National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme, which maintains a national database of cattle and deer and their location, is a key part of New Zealand’s ability to respond quickly to biosecurity threats.

Hickey had been reminded about his NAIT obligations as early as 2019, along with being sent educational advice in 2020, a warning letter in 2020, and infringement notices in 2021 and 2022.

“People in charge of animals must ensure they’ve tagged and registered their NAIT animals. If they’re going off-farm, or if the animals are coming on to the farm, they must declare these movements to NAIT within 48 hours,” said Tuckwell.

The NAIT tag and registration system is only as effective as the information provided, she said.

“If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out. There is plenty of information, advice and support available.”