M bovis programme director Geoff Gwyn said increasing activity in the lead-up to winter stock movements will help control disease spread and give farmers as much certainty as possible heading into the busy winter period.
“This means the programme will see a surge in the number of properties contacted about the movement of risk animals and a higher number of properties than usual will be placed under movement restrictions,” Gwyn said.
“This is happening in a short period because of increased surveillance late last year that has resulted in a peak in the number of high-risk properties that we have identified and the desire to get ahead of the curve before autumn and winter stock movements get into full swing.”
About 300 farmers who have had high-risk animals move to their properties will be contacted as a priority over the next few weeks.
“We would expect 250 of those to have notice of direction movement controls placed on them immediately and following testing that 10-12% may become Confirmed Properties.”
A further 800 properties will be contacted about very low-risk animal movements.
“We are now entering a period where we will have to look at a greater number of farms to find a diminishing number of Confirmed Properties,” Gwyn said.
Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor said it’s important to note no country has tried eradication before so NZ is paving the way and learning a lot.
“As the programme evolves we are reaching further out into historic animal movements and ahead of June when many farmers move their cattle for winter I’m committed to ensuring the disease does not spread.”
O’Connor has asked international experts on the Technical Advisory Group to bring forward their next review from the middle of the year and start work now.
“The last review showed good progress had been made and resulted in meaningful changes to the programme, however, we must be vigilant and use the best and most current information and advice.”
