Raymond Arthur Griffin, of Oruanui, appeared in Taupo District Court for sentencing July on Wednesday for failing to register the animals for which he was responsible.
Between August 21 and October 25 last year Griffin moved 1026 cattle from a Nait farm where he was the person in charge of the animals to other Nait locations but did not register the animals with Nait before moving them.
“We take the animal identification and tag system very seriously,” MPI animal welfare and Nait compliance manager Gray Harrison said.
“MPI’s ability to manage biosecurity threats such as the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis and other diseases of cattle or deer is heavily dependent on being able to rapidly and accurately trace animal movements.”
The judge described Griffin’s offending as highly careless given the educational approach taken by MPI for a previous and similar incident.
“We are satisfied with the sentence outcome and believe it sends a strong message the Nait Act will be enforced,” Harrison said
Griffin faced a maximum penalty of up to $10,000.
Recent amendments to penalties in the Nait Act have increased the maximum penalty to $100,000. Other NAIT prosecutions now before the courts are subject to the expanded penalties.
