TB controls eased in central North Island

Last week the Animal Health Board announced a total of 2450 cattle and deer herds across the region Island have had their bovine tuberculosis (TB) movement control restrictions or testing requirements reduced.

AHB technical and farm services manager Stu Hutchings says the reduction is due to falling herd infection rates and a strong focus on TB-infected wildlife control.

“This has been achieved through focused possum control and other wildlife surveillance to assess whether TB is still present in an area.

“However, it would not have been possible without the help and co-operation of farmers,” he adds. 

AHB’s revised TB control strategy aims to eradicate TB from wild animal populations, which will lead to even less herd testing in the future. Infected wild animals, particularly possums, continue to be the main carrier of TB and source of the disease in farmed cattle and deer.

The changes to the movement control restrictions will affect herd owners in the northern tip of the Central North Island Movement Control Area (MCA) from March 1, 2012.

“The change to the MCA boundary will remove the need for pre-movement herd testing of 199 cattle and deer herds,” says Hutchings.

Of the 2450 affected herds, more than 2250 will benefit from less TB testing due to changes in Special Testing Area policies in the North Island. 

Hutchings says AHB is “proud to once again deliver some direct benefits to registered cattle and deer herds.”

Central North Island deer farmer Leith Chick, who has had his herd movement restrictions revoked, says it’s a major step forward for TB control in the area.  

“Farmers’ continued support and compliance with the TB control strategy has contributed greatly to the reduction in the Central North Island MCA and changes to testing requirements,” says Chick.  Affected herdowners will be notified of when their next test is due, or can visit www.tbfree.org.nz/dcamap to check if they have been affected by the changes.