Agent blasts NAIT

Whanganui livestock operator David Cotton questions the efficiency of the NAIT stock tracking system at saleyards throughout the country.

An independent Whanganui livestock operator is adamant the National Animal Identification and Tracing system (NAIT) is still not working despite reports to the contrary.

David Cotton said the reports were akin to the humorous Yeah Right Tui adverts.

"I see the reports on how well NAIT is working ... Yeah Right! Next time you are down at the saleyard ask your fellow farmers if all his movements are recorded, ask if he has ever purchased livestock to find the NAIT transfer tally is different," Mr Cotton said.

"I'm not a betting man, but I would put $1.50 on the trucking tallies and NAIT not adding up. I was disappointed to read how PPG Wrightson was fined $2.7million and Rural Livestock $475,000 for price fixing their NAIT transfer charges at the saleyards and there are another nine companies or associations having court proceedings pending with the Commerce Commission.

"I believe these companies have provided a very efficient service to clients to help them meet their NAIT obligations."

Most saleyards are owned by stock and station companies in partnership and many with PGG Wrightson.

"I felt they took a very pragmatic view in one price across the board as an easy system to administer. As a livestock agent I knew exactly what fee to pass on to my clients.

Can you imagine the nightmare of different saleyards and companies all having a different price structure?

"This was not a get-rich scheme, it was a service to clients and a fee to help cover the substantial cost of this programme that was forced on them.

Putting the reading systems into the Feilding saleyards I understand cost in excess of $150,000.

Add to this all the ongoing costs of training staff, setting up an area where cattle could be tagged, staff to do the paper work and transfers and the records that had to be kept.

It also slows down their efficiency at the saleyards and all for $1.50 per head, and remember there is an ongoing cost of updating the readers that scan the tags.

"They [readers] wear out and technology changes - large sums of capital is required. This service is provided at all saleyards big, small and large.

"It would have been interesting if the owners of the saleyards had said to NAIT 'here you are, you rent the space off us, put your own system in place, provide staff to run the programme and invoice the clients the cost', what would this fee be? Would this fee be the same in all saleyards? I think you may get my point," Mr Cotton said.

He said perhaps PGG Wrightson should have taken its case to Fair Go.

"I for one don't think these companies got a fair go," Mr Cotton lamented.