Hope new govt programme stops spread of mycoplasma bovis

Cattle are being tracked to stop the flow of mycoplasma bovis.

Cattle movements across Cook Strait are being tracked in a new government programme to prevent the spread of M. bovis.

Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor announced the initiative on March 23.

''The previous National government's complete failure to enforce the national animal identification and tracing (Nait) scheme has promoted poor farming practices and seriously compromised our response to the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak,'' Mr O'Connor said in a statement.

A report showed the system was not working well enough, with only 57% of farmers who recorded their animal movements doing so within the required 48 hours, he said.

''I'm told overall farm-to­farm recording may be as low as 30%.

''Nait is an important part of our biosecurity net and it needs improvement.

''Mycoplasma bovis is mostly spread through movement of infected cattle from farm to farm. This means cattle traceability between properties is critical to finding all affected animals, and stopping further infection.

''Operation Cook Strait is necessary if we are to have any chance of controlling this disease. There is no quick exit strategy for Mycoplasma bovis and farmers complying with Nait is a bottom line for any option.

''Eradication is what everybody would like but it has to be technically possible, practically achievable and affordable for all,'' he said.

''If we can't improve Nait compliance, we can't get past go.''

Operation Cook Strait, run by the Ministry for Primary Industries, would be based where stock trucks stopped in the upper South Island.

''It will check that farmers moving cattle from the South to the North Island comply with their legal obligations under the Nait Act. Non­compliance will result in fines.''

The programme was likely to be extended to other parts of the country.

''Nait tracking of animals is vital if we're to make sure we can understand animal movements and put in place measures to prevent M. bovis reaching more farms,'' DairyNZ policy general manager Carol Barnao said.

''We know Nait can work far better and our farmers have a key role in making this happen. It's not good enough to just apply good biosecurity measures on-farm; farmers also need to ensure Nait records are up to date.''

Beef + Lamb New Zealand also urged farmers to comply with Nait, although it would like it to be easier to use.

''However, we also recognise that there is a role for enforcement action for those who refuse to use the system,'' B+LNZ policy and advocacy general manager Dave Harrison said.

''Our preference is for enforcement action to focus on willing non-compliance. Any issues linked to connectivity or difficulties in understanding how to use the Nait system should be addressed through education.''