Biosecurity and Agriculture Minister, Damien O’Connor, has welcomed an independent review into the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme, which has found it is on track to achieve eradication.
“The decision to attempt eradication was a big one for the Government and our sector partners, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand,” the Minister said.
“It was driven by a motivation to prevent endemic M.bovis in our national herd and the associated animal welfare, economic and social costs for all farmers that it would bring. The economic cost of endemic M.bovis would top $1 billion in the first 10 years alone and continue to burden the sector into the future.
“The review finds that the programme is running well and is on track to achieve the world first of eradicating M.bovis. It also notes the impact on farmers involved and the work the programme has done over the past two years to make necessary improvements, following a difficult start.
“We are now in a situation where we are down to four infected farms, all of which are situated in Canterbury,” he said.
He said the review fhad ound that the programme had developed unique biosecurity tools and capabilities.
“The review panel has made some sensible recommendations for us and the primary sector to boost biosecurity and future animal disease responses.”
“By working together, and taking the lessons and improvements from the M.bovis programme with us, we are better placed to meet future biosecurity challenges,’’ Minister O’Connor said.
The review can be found here.
