HGP Regulated Control Scheme
In New Zealand, the use of HGPs implanted into bovine animals is strictly controlled through the HGP Regulated Control Scheme (RCS). You need to be familiar with your full legal obligations under the scheme.
Using HGPs on cattle
There are very particular requirements for farmers and veterinarians about how HGPs are implanted and how those cattle are identified.
Implanting HGPs
The HGP implant must be implanted only under the skin of the animal's ear.
Ear tags
All implanted cattle must be identified prior to the HGP implantation with 2 tags:
- MPI's approved HGP ear tag – this tag must not be used for any other purpose other than identifying HGP treated cattle
- a NAIT-approved RFID tag that is registered in the NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing) online system.
Responsibilities of farmers and veterinarians
Owners or persons-in-charge, and veterinarians have specific responsibilities with the use of HGPs, keeping records, and maintaining the identification of HGP-treated cattle.
HGP responsibilities for farmers
Checking HGP compliance
Farms and veterinary practices may be audited to verify that the HGP usage requirements are being met. Regular audits are completed in export cattle slaughter premises and individual cattle ear tags and tag numbers are checked at slaughter against HGP database details.
If requirements aren't met, it is an offence under the Animal Products Act (APA) 1999. You could face a range of penalties, depending on the results of the investigation. For failing to comply with MPI's HGP implantation and record-keeping requirements:
- individuals can be fined up to $20,000
- farms run as companies can be fined up to $100,000.
