Friday, 21 June 2024 08:55

One-stop shop to tackle M. bovis

Written by  Staff Reporters
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the plan will provide farmers with a one-stop shop for disease management and traceability. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the plan will provide farmers with a one-stop shop for disease management and traceability.

A national pest management plan to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) will come into effect by the end of this year.

The plan, approved by the Coalition Government, was proposed by the programme partners DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). It will shift M bovis accountability from MPI to OSPRI.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says this is a hard-fought step forward for farmers and will provide them with a one-stop shop for disease management and traceability.

OSPRI works with the farming industry to manage animal disease and provides the National Animal Identification Tracing system.

“The move will help take advantage of efficiencies and protect our investment in eradication made to date,” Hoggard says.

“The eradication was estimated to cost $870 million in 2018, a significant investment in our farming sector from the Crown and farmers, who have contributed 32% of the funding.

“It is important we protect this investment and the hard work of all involved, including the sacrifices made by farmers, by ensuring the fit-for-purpose M. bovis Plan is implemented.

“At present we have no infected farms, and we are focused on the national surveillance of cattle. There’s more to do before we reach the end of this journey, and it is possible we will find more infection before we get there but the move to a national pest management plan is another big step forward.

“The plan will ensure that OSPRI has the tools needed to continue to build on the success achieved.

“I want to thank DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand for their support. The partnership approach has set this response apart and is a great example of how government and industry working together can achieve better results for all. but most of all I want to recognise the intense stress and emotional toll that has been felt by the farmers that have been caught up in this response”.

M. bovis stats

  • Active Confirmed Properties - 0
  • Cleared Confirmed Properties - 282
  • Properties under Notice of Direction - 8
  • Properties under Active Surveillance - 25
  • Compensation paid - $285.1 million
  • Claims processed to date - 2,961

More like this

Featured

Editorial: Time for common sense

OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Are they serious?

OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter