Friday, March 29, 2024

Boffins boost M bovis response

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A science advisory group has been set up to help efforts to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis.
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It met for the first time on July 31.

Members of the Strategic Science Advisory Group will provide high-level strategic scientific advice to the Mycoplasma bovis Governance Group, the Primary Industries Ministry said.

“The advisory group will ensure we have ongoing access to some of the best minds and knowledge relating to M bovis, which will bolster the eradication effort,” Biosecurity New Zealaned head Roger Smith, who chairs Governance Group, said.

They will contribute their expertise on a range of science matters, including:

– Identifying any critical knowledge gaps and ways to address them, including considering emerging technologies and ideas that may help eradicate M bovis;

– Prioritisation of M bovis research efforts;

– Co-ordination of current and future science initiatives relating to M bovis;

– Learning from other research programmes in NZ and internationally and;

– Providing assurance that M bovis eradication research efforts remain fit for purpose.

“The members of the advisory group understand this is an unsettling time for many farmers and are moving quickly,” science group chairman and MPI science adviser Dr John Roche said.

“They held their second meeting last week to start the development of their detailed work plan to shape the long-term science strategy.”

“The group has already identified some key priorities for immediate work and will hold a workshop in September to get wider input into developing the broader science plan,” Roche said.

“Scientific research is a vital part of our efforts to eradicate M bovis,” Smith said.

The members are Roche, Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health director Professor Glenn Browning of Melbourne University, Massey University agribuisness Professor Hamish Gow, Massey University infectious disease specialist Professor Nigel French, AgResearch immunology senior scientist Axel Heiser, agribusiness consultant William McMillan, North Canterbury Vets director Trish McIntosh, British consultant Roger Ayling, Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation disease prevention scientist Cameron Stewart, AgResearch resource eonomist and social scientist James Turner, Auckland Univisity mathematician Shaun Hendy, Business, Innovation and Employment Ministry science system general manager Prue Williams and MPI diagnostics and surveillance director Veronica Herrera.

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