Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
Update – 19 February 2026
The consultation closing time was extended by 7 hours. Submissions will now be accepted up to 11.59pm on 5 April 2026.
We’ve also confirmed dates and times for 2 public webinars we’re holding to outline the proposals in more detail.
Have your say
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking feedback on options to improve the traceability of pigs and sheep in New Zealand.
The proposed options aim to:
- provide a rapid traceability system for pigs and sheep during an outbreak of foot and mouth disease
- improve animal traceability for any future diseases.
This consultation opened on 16 February 2026. All submissions must be received by 11.59pm on 5 April 2026.
What’s being proposed?
MPI is consulting on 3 options. We want to improve our ability to trace pigs and sheep rapidly and accurately during an animal disease response, especially foot and mouth disease. The options are not mutually exclusive because the best option for each species could be different because of their production systems or trade requirements.
Option 1: Retain the status quo – pigs and sheep continue to be traced through animal status declarations under the Animal Products Act 1999 in paper or PDF form.
Option 2: Mandating the use of (mob-level) pig and sheep electronic animal status declarations under the Animal Products Act 1999.
Option 3: Include pigs and sheep as National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) animals under the NAIT Act 2012, at mob level.
Full details are in the consultation document.
Consultation document
Discussion document: Options for improving pig and sheep traceability [PDF, 461 KB]
Related legislation
Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation
National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012 – NZ Legislation
Animal Products Act 1999 – NZ Legislation
Webinars
MPI will host 2 public webinars to outline the proposals in more detail on:
- 11 March between 1pm and 2pm
- 19 March between 9am and 10am.
The webinars are being held on Microsoft Teams. You must register to attend.
Register for the 11 March webinar
Register for the 19 March webinar
Making your submission
Submit your feedback on the options by 11.59pm on 5 April 2026. We’d prefer you use our online survey but you can also send submissions by email or post.
Online survey
Options for improving pig and sheep traceability – MS Forms
Email submissions
Send your feedback to BiosecurityPartnerships.Policy@mpi.govt.nz
A template is available to help you complete your submission.
Submissions template [DOCX, 744 KB]
Postal submissions
You can post written submissions to:
Pig and Sheep Traceability
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.
What to include in submissions sent by email or post
- The submissions template, if you completed it.
- The title of the consultation document.
- Your name and title.
- Your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it).
- Your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email).
Submissions are public information
Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.
People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.
If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.
