The differential TB slaughter levy for cattle replaces the former cattle levy and applies different levy rates for beef and dairy animals. The TB slaughter levy is collected to support funding of the TBfree programme on behalf of beef and dairy industries. The revised levy will be collected by meat processors, as is the current slaughter levy. The new levy came into effect on 1 August 2016 and is applied by assignment of production type to animals within the NAIT system.

The TB slaughter levy and the revised TB management programme have resulted from a recent review of the TB Plan. It was agreed that a new differential slaughter levy be applied to account for the required industry contributions on behalf of the dairy and beef industry sectors.

The TB slaughter levy rates are:

• $13 per head for dairy animals
• $6.30 per head for beef animals

There is also a levy of $11.50/head on live cattle and deer that are exported. This levy will be paid at the point of export. 

The maximum rate for the cattle slaughter levy remains at $15 per head of adult dairy cattle but changes to $8.50 per head of adult beef cattle. All the rates are exclusive of GST. 

Find out more in our FAQS for farmers and meat processors. 

What do you need to do?

1. Check the production type of your registered animals in NAIT. This will be primarily used at slaughter to charge the correct levy rate for the TB programme for beef and dairy animals. When registering animals you need to specify their production type in advance of sending them to slaughter .
   
   How to update animal production type 
    
2. Check your farm production type in NAIT. This will be used to charge the levy if you send untagged animals to a meat processor.
   
   How to update your production type in NAIT
    
3. Specify if tags you're buying are for dairy or beef animals, from 25 August 2016. This production type will be used if your animal is not registered before they are slaughtered.

How is production type assigned for the levy?

NAIT data, based on information entered by the PICA for production type against RFIDs will be used to confirm whether an animal is dairy or beef.  OSPRI operates a disputes procedure therefore, if you believe you have been charged the wrong levy, you need to contact OSPRI to enquire about the payment and provide information on your correct production type in your NAIT account. OSPRI can help you update you details in your NAIT account and amend the production type assignment for a particular group of animals sent to a meat processor.

For any disputes, contact OSPRI directly to lodge a complaint. OSPRI will evaluate the applications and make a determination.

What if my production type changes?

You’ll be able to change the production type for existing livestock through your NAIT account. The individual animal’s production type may change depending on how long the animal has been on your property with that production type. For example, if an animal is declared as ‘beef’ production type after being ‘dairy’ but has only been on your property with a beef production type for less than 62 days, it will have a levy production type of ‘dairy’.

What if an animal has no NAIT tag?

For untagged animals, the meat processors will use the NAIT number level production type for charging the differential TB slaughter levy.

How do I ensure I'm charged the correct levy?

Keeping your NAIT account up to date (including recording movements on and off your property) and reviewing the production type information of the animals that you will send to slaughter would ensure you will be charged the correct levy for each animal.

How will I be charged for the dairy animals finished as beef?

For dairy animals, whose production type changed 62 days before the slaughter, or moves to a beef farm 62 days before the slaughter, you will be charged with the beef levy. Otherwise, for those animals, you will be charged the dairy levy.

Are there any changes to NAIT levies?

No. The NAIT slaughter levy remains the same at $0.50 per animal. The NAIT impractical to tag levy will remain at $13 per untagged animal.