Katene Rahui: National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill — Second Reading 
Katene Rahui: National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:675;Page:21004] 
RAHUI KATENE (Maori Party—Te Tai Tonga) 
: 
 The Maori Party has had mixed views about this National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill and the initiative to establish a national identification and tracing system. We are not at all inclined to support legislation just for the sake of legislation to bring about new compliance requirements. I have to say that one wonders where the line will be drawn when it comes to the microchipping of cattle and sheep. 
So it was with some interest that we looked at the advice from the Privacy Commissioner to the Primary Production Committee. At first we were under some confusion as to whether it was the privacy of sheep beef and deer that was being talked about when the Privacy Commissioner emphasised the need to “properly balance privacy impacts against the public interest in identifying and tracing animals.” But in reading further it seems that the concerns posed by the commissioner were about search and detention powers and whether a warrant should be issued. We certainly have to agree with the commissioner that this power should be exercised only under warrant. 
We also concur with the advice that the reporting requirements should be amended to make it less onerous. In essence the issue of unnecessary and disproportionate compliance is the one that our caucus found most objectionable about this bill. I will quote from the Privacy Commissioner again. The submission noted that annual information would be required from the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) agency. To quote directly: “This provision imposes a high level of compliance costs on my Office and the NAIT organisation which I do not think is necessary.” We will be interested in the response of the Minister to this concern as it is one that has raised issues for our caucus. All going according to plan the National Animal Identification and Tracing system will allow the rapid and accurate tracing of animals from birth to death or live export. It will provide information on the location and movement history of animals and it should do much to improve biosecurity management. 
We expect also that the bill will help to manage risks to human health associated with animals. It will help to improve animal productivity provide market assurances and support compliance with trading requirements. These are all worthwhile goals. 
I will refer to another submission that helped us to form our position at the second reading and it was from the Federation of Maori Authorities. The federation represents members comprising ahu whenua land trusts Maori incorporations runanga and Maori trust boards from throughout 11 different rohe across the nation. Collectively there are some 150 members administering over 800000 hectares of land on behalf of an estimated 100000 Maori beneficial owners so when the Federation of Maori Authorities speaks it speaks with considerable authority and accordingly we listen. 
The Federation of Maori Authorities said that the NAIT system will add value to New Zealand’s exported agricultural products in that it will allow our produce to be entered into high-value markets that require identification and tracing of agricultural products. This is a very important issue in terms of fostering and supporting Maori economic development while at the same time bolstering the reputation of New Zealand products in international markets. To put it simply the federation thought that having the ability to track potentially economically damaging diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or mad cow disease would be of great value to the Maori economy. It was their opinion that this legislation provides us with an opportunity to be proactive as opposed to reactive to an event of disease outbreak. 
They also thought that although there will be significant costs for relevant industries to come into line with the NAIT system these costs are small in comparison with the huge costs to our economy and international reputation should we have the misfortune to suffer a large-scale disease outbreak. 
I do not want to take up much more time before the House but I do think that the NAIT system will also be helpful for the environment. If we can track free-range cattle and sheep through this system we can find out what farms are not carrying out their responsibilities to keep cattle out of streams and rivers and from too close a proximity to streams and rivers. They are damaging to the water and to the environment close to the water. 
The Maori Party supports agricultural trade and employment of workers. We also support an effective and accountable Government entity to carry out the purpose of the bill. We are persuaded by the logic and the experience of a key Maori business to provide support to this bill. Kia ora.