Bridging the gap with rural New Zealand
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
DairyNZ says it supports MPI’s decision to cull all cattle on properties infected with M. bovis. Although this is a hard step for farmers, it is an important move towards eradicating the disease from NZ.
Carol Barnao, of DairyNZ, says this is never an easy decision to make. Removing these animals from the 28 infected properties is considered and sensible, but nobody should underestimate the effect on farmers losing herds they’ve managed for years.
Kimberly Crewther, of the Dairy Companies Association NZ (DCANZ), welcomes MPI’s confidence that M. bovis is not well established in NZ. The national surveillance has required huge effort and DCANZ is pleased to see it contributing the information necessary for making response decisions.
Beef + Lamb NZ says MPI’s cull decision gives clarity to farmers living with uncertainty.
BLNZ spokesman Dave Harrison acknowledges the very trying few months endured by the affected farmers -- restricted from trading, bearing extra costs, and suffering worry and anxiety about the future.
Federated Farmers also supports the decision to cull: president Katie Milne says this will be a huge relief for all drystock and dairy farmers.
