increase font size
A recent media report incorrectly said there are newly found or identified farms.
The Ministry of Primary Industries has dismissed claims that 100s of new cases of Mycoplasma bovis have been found.
It says a recent media report incorrectly said there are newly found or identified farms.
“The media outlet involved has started to report restricted places (RPs) that aren’t also infected places (IPs).
“MPI has reported both of these numbers since the start of the response,” it says.
“A farm is only designated an infected place if it has returned a DNA sequenced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result. Infected places are a subset of restricted places and all restricted places are considered to have Mycoplasma bovis.”
According to MPI’s latest update, only 31 properties are still infected with Mycoplasma bovis.
Of the 31 IPs, 28 are in the South Island and three in the North Island — 14 dairy farms and 17 beef farms.
A total of 72 properties remain under restricted place notice; these include all infected farms and those suspected of having M. bovis.
Properties under notice of direction total 145; taking animals from these farms is considered risky.
A total of 449 properties remain under active surveillance.
MPI says almost 90,000 animals have been culled; 71 properties have had their IP status lifted and 513 freed from movement restrictions. About 305,000 tests for the disease have been done -- on milk, blood swab and tonsils.
On compensation, MPI says 839 claims have been received and 536 have been fully or partially paid.
MPI has so far paid $54 million in compensation.
Testing confirms H5 bird flu in a single northern giant petrel, found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach in the Wairarapa, says Dr Mary van Andel, the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Chief Veterinary Officer.
The apple sector is working with the Government to unlock access to two key markets that could bring millions in revenue for apple growers.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
OPINION: A simpler, clearer, more effective Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.
The country's second largest milk processor is warning against 'complacency' during a review of competition regulations in the dairy sector.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
