The three partners working to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving eradication and supporting farmers through the eradication process.

The Ministry for Primary Industries, DairyNZ, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand released the 2019 M. bovis National Plan at a meeting with farmers in Hamilton on 5 April.

The plan sets out three clear goals:

• to eradicate M. bovis from New Zealand

• to reduce the impact of the disease and the eradication programme for everyone affected

• to leave New Zealand’s biosecurity system stronger.

M. bovis programme director Geoff Gwyn said that the national plan is an important step in making sure that eradication is successful, and that farmers are properly supported the whole way.

“The eradication effort is on track, but there is still a lot of hard work to get done. There will be more farms put under movement restriction, and more farms that need to be depopulated,” says Gwyn.

“No country has attempted to eradicate M. bovis before, so there is a lot we are learning and developing as we go. The farmer and public meetings we’re holding over the next month are an important way for us to hear from farmers about what is working and areas that can be improved.”

DairyNZ‘s chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says M. bovis has created challenges for many farmers, both dairy and beef – not only those affected by the disease, but for all farmers who have increased their biosecurity measures on farm.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor says although New Zealand is fortunate that M. bovis has had a less direct impact on beef farmers, the risks to those with dairy farms means M. bovis is a challenge that can‘t be ignored.

As part of the programme‘s commitment to continual improvement, the total number of Confirmed Properties, Active Properties, and Cleared Properties will be reported, as the partners believe this is the most accurate and transparent way they can report on the scale of the programme, and progress towards eradication.

The eradication of M. bovis is no longer a Biosecurity New Zealand response, but a national programme funded, resourced and governed by DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and MPI.