A report by the independent advisory group overseeing the government's M bovis response has been publicly released today.
In the report, the technical advisory group (TAG) has maintained its view that achieving eradication was feasible.
It said there had also been signs of "improved operational performance" over the past six months, including a downward trend in the number of farms testing positive for the disease.
"Given currently available data, the TAG concludes that achieving biological freedom from M. bovis is feasible provided that the number of undetected infected herds is not large, infection has not established and spread within the non-dairy sector, and that the rate of transmission to new herds is reduced," the report said.
The group said it would support the development of a herd accreditation programme, that would allow farmers to purchase cattle from farms that are unlikely to be infected.
Listen to The Country's Rowena Duncum interview Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive Sam McIvor on the announcement:
MPI Director-General Ray Smith said the latest report had provided it with an assurance that the programme was working.
"M bovis is one of the greatest biosecurity challenges we have faced in New Zealand, and both government and our industry partners remain committed to achieving eradication."
"The battle isn't won yet - we still have hard work to do, and there will be more farms placed under restrictions while testing is conducted. We also know that there are areas, like compensation, where we need to continue to improve," Mr Smith said.
MPI expected the majority of infected farms would been found by late 2020, after which it said there would be a long-term surveillance effort.
- RNZ
