Mycoplasma bovis confirmed on Otago, Northland farms

Dry stock farms in Northland and Otago have been confirmed as properties infected with Mycoplasma bovis.

The Northland farm is the first confirmed in the region. There are four active infected properties in Otago out of eight in total.

Both properties are connected to previously known infected properties (IP) through animal movements, the Ministry for Primary Industries said in a statement.

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Tracing work from these properties was taking place.

There are 37 currently active IPs in total, made up of 21 dry stock properties, 14 dairy farms and two lifestyle properties.

MPI said it had lifted 245 legal notices for M. bovis (both Notices of Direction and Restricted Place Notices). These farms had either undergone surveillance and tested negative, or went through depopulation and cleaning, and completed their 60-day stand-down period.

The ministry will hold a public meeting on Thursday in Dargaville at the Northern Wairoa War Memorial Hall, 37 Hokianga Road, from 11am to 1pm.