tagsavers and National Tracking Systems

The tagsave tool with a newly opened tag

NZ NAIT Web Site

Sample NAIT Tags

Most countries have a National animal tracking system implemented for biosecurity purposes. These can include official ear tags for tracking animal movements, which are in addition to the herd management tags.

NAIT (National Animal Identification and Traceability) tags has been introduced to New Zealand and is one example of a national standard.

It was introduced to improve animal tracing in New Zealand at a nationwide level, to improve the nations biosecurity. The NAIT scheme is mandatory for cattle and deer. (see below for other examples from other countries).

Removal of official NAIT tracking RFID (Radio Frequency ID) eartags from their host animal is currently prohibited under existing New Zealand legislation. Removal of these RFID tags will bring into doubt the credibility of the NAIT scheme and official international marketing assurances that are derived from it.

The only exception is that NAIT is considering future recycling of copper and plastic ingredients from a tag after an animal is slaughtered/dead, and the tag numbers have been deleted from their system.

Manufacturing Realities:

tagsavers pliers have been carefully designed to only work with herd management number tags. The size and style of the tool is such that NAIT tags will not fit into the tool, without damaging the NAIT tag. NAIT tags are made of a special compound and design which resists efforts to open them. They have been designed to be tamper-evident.

So how do you know if your RFID is part of the NAIT scheme?

All NAIT tags have covers on the female tag, which cover the point of the male piercing tip (Note this on the Ambreed tag shown above). Non-NAIT Tags do not have this cover. Any attempt to remove the NAIT Tag with a tool similar to the tagsaver pliers will be obvious as this cover will be damaged.

It is illegal to remove any National Animal Tracking System tags.

Countries with National animal tracking systems

Disclaimer: This list is only some of schemes we are aware of. There are other schemes that are not listed.

Country	Scheme	Name
	NLIS	National Livestock Identification System
	CCI	Canadian Cattle Identification
	NAIT	National Animal Identification and Traceability
	I&R	Identificatie & Registratie
	BTS	South Korean Beef Tracing System
	TVD	Swiss animal identification and tracing system
	NAIS	National Animal Identification System
	CTS	Cattle Tracking System