Increasing outbreaks of the untreatable bacterial disease mycoplasma bovis, has led the New Zealand government to launch a 10-year phased plan worth $886m to tackle the disease
It’s estimated that over 100,000 cattle could be culled in a bid to stop the spread of the disease.
The disease does not pose a risk to humans, but can cause untreatable mastitis in cattle and severe cases of pneumonia in calves.
Allowing the disease to spread would simply create more anxiety
The decision was taken by the government in conjunction with farming organisations after months of talks and analysis.
New Zealand is a large global food exporter with a 90% surplus of dairy and meat, with exports buoyed by the country’s ‘clean’ image, the emergence of the disease endangers the economic value of the national herd.
“We’ve worked hard to get the information to make this call and I know the past 10 months have been hugely uncertain for our beef and dairy farmers,” the NZ prime minister Jacinda Ardern said.
“Speaking with affected farmers in recent weeks it is obvious that this has taken a toll, but standing back and allowing the disease to spread would simply create more anxiety for all farmers.
We have a real chance of eradication
“This is a tough call – no-one ever wants to see mass culls. But the alternative is to risk the spread of the disease across our national herd. We have a real chance of eradication to protect our more than 20,000 dairy and beef farms, but only if we act now.
Eradication will involve:
Culling all cattle on all infected properties along with cattle on most restricted properties.All infected farms found in future will also be depopulated.
Following depopulation, farms are disinfected and will lie fallow for 60 days after which they can be restocked.Intensive active surveillance, including testing and tracing, will continue to detect infected herds.There will be some flexibility for farmers in the timing of culling to offset production losses.An improved compensation claim process. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says a substantial part of a farmer’s claim for culled cows should now take 4-10 days, with a fully verified claim taking 2-3 weeks.The government expects to undertake most of the eradication within the first one to two years.
Up to 68% of the cost will be met by the government with the remaining cost covered by DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb New Zealand.
Earlier this year, the NZ government culled up to 22,000 cattle in a bid to put a halt to the disease, and the minister for agriculture has asked farmers to support the latest plan. Minister Damien O’Connor also highlighted the mental strain culling herds put farmers under.
“It won’t work without farmer support. In particular, farmers need to be meticulous with animal movement records and the way they use NAIT. We have already begun improvements to make it easier to use,” O’Connor said.
“Farmer welfare is crucial and I’d like to thank the Rural Support Trusts for the work they’re doing. With this decision we know more help is needed and the government and industry groups are committed to helping farmers through this stressful time.”
Read more
Increased incidence of Mycoplasma bovis on dairy farms
Government support for badger culls in low-risk areas of England
Increasing outbreaks of the untreatable bacterial disease mycoplasma bovis, has led the New Zealand government to launch a 10-year phased plan worth $886m to tackle the disease
It’s estimated that over 100,000 cattle could be culled in a bid to stop the spread of the disease.
The disease does not pose a risk to humans, but can cause untreatable mastitis in cattle and severe cases of pneumonia in calves.
Allowing the disease to spread would simply create more anxiety
The decision was taken by the government in conjunction with farming organisations after months of talks and analysis.
New Zealand is a large global food exporter with a 90% surplus of dairy and meat, with exports buoyed by the country’s ‘clean’ image, the emergence of the disease endangers the economic value of the national herd.
“We’ve worked hard to get the information to make this call and I know the past 10 months have been hugely uncertain for our beef and dairy farmers,” the NZ prime minister Jacinda Ardern said.
“Speaking with affected farmers in recent weeks it is obvious that this has taken a toll, but standing back and allowing the disease to spread would simply create more anxiety for all farmers.
We have a real chance of eradication
“This is a tough call – no-one ever wants to see mass culls. But the alternative is to risk the spread of the disease across our national herd. We have a real chance of eradication to protect our more than 20,000 dairy and beef farms, but only if we act now.
Eradication will involve:
Culling all cattle on all infected properties along with cattle on most restricted properties.All infected farms found in future will also be depopulated.
Following depopulation, farms are disinfected and will lie fallow for 60 days after which they can be restocked.Intensive active surveillance, including testing and tracing, will continue to detect infected herds.There will be some flexibility for farmers in the timing of culling to offset production losses.An improved compensation claim process. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says a substantial part of a farmer’s claim for culled cows should now take 4-10 days, with a fully verified claim taking 2-3 weeks.The government expects to undertake most of the eradication within the first one to two years.
Up to 68% of the cost will be met by the government with the remaining cost covered by DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb New Zealand.
Earlier this year, the NZ government culled up to 22,000 cattle in a bid to put a halt to the disease, and the minister for agriculture has asked farmers to support the latest plan. Minister Damien O’Connor also highlighted the mental strain culling herds put farmers under.
“It won’t work without farmer support. In particular, farmers need to be meticulous with animal movement records and the way they use NAIT. We have already begun improvements to make it easier to use,” O’Connor said.
“Farmer welfare is crucial and I’d like to thank the Rural Support Trusts for the work they’re doing. With this decision we know more help is needed and the government and industry groups are committed to helping farmers through this stressful time.”
Read more
Increased incidence of Mycoplasma bovis on dairy farms
Government support for badger culls in low-risk areas of England
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