“There’s some belief out there that MPI is preparing for long-term management – that is totally not the case at all.
“Many farmers are going through a challenging time with the M bovis outbreak and, unfortunately, their stress and anxiety is being compounded by some misinformation.”
Gwyn assures farmers the Government and industry partners remain highly committed to eradicating the cattle disease and early results from nationwide bulk milk testing indicate eradication is possible.
While he expects a further 20 or more properties will be infected in the next couple of months, that is not cause to be alarmed.
“We currently have 56 restricted properties, that includes a subset of 34 infected properties, and we have always been clear that the vast majority of restricted properties will become infected properties so over the coming months that number will grow.
“But we expect that because it’s very unlikely a restricted property won’t go to infected property so I’d expect, as testing progresses and disease status is determined, that difference of 22 will raise the number of infected properties over the next month or two.”
Gwyn said the nature of phased eradication means MPI is working closely with affected farmers to cull infected cattle at a time that suits them.
“This means that in the vast majority of situations we will allow farmers to milk through the milking season or bring cattle to required weight before processing.
“There will be times when this is not possible for whatever reason, maybe if there’s animal welfare concerns and we are removing all trace animals to remove all risk.”
Gwyn quashed myth that M bovis has been in New Zealand since 2004.
“All of the available research as well as data collated during on-farm investigations indicate that M bovis is likely to have arrived in NZ in late 2015 to early 2016.”
Investigations are continuing but two pieces of evidence support that belief.
They include comparing the mutations in the M bovis DNA from infected properties and sequencing that backwards, based on its mutation rate, Gene sequencing the bacteria from different farms to compare genetic fingerprints shows there’s only one strain.
MPI is running a series of nationwide meetings with affected farmers.
The meetings are focused on farmers providing the managers from the newly established M bovis Directorate and industry partners with feedback and suggested solutions on actions taken as part of the phased eradication response.
Gwyn said the meetings are private so directly affected farmers can have free and frank conversations with key decision-makers on the M bovis response.
Two meetings in Ashburton last week attracted 25 farmers from across Canterbury.
Both meetings raised similar topics and questions with communication and actions taken on individual cases top of the list.
More general questions around processes, compensation eligibility and the challenge of replacing like-for-like were among farmer concerns.
Gwyn said farmers who attended the meetings shared stories about their personal experiences dealing with M bovis and the response.
“It’s clear that many have experienced extremely difficult times and it’s very useful to hear their stories as we work to improve the experience for farmers in the ongoing response.
“It’s an opportunity, too, for farmers to directly ask questions of the right people and get their answers.
“We have had some really good ideas come out of meetings so far, some initiatives we can implement quite easily and quickly, others need more exploring and testing to see where we may be able to take them.”
There was opportunity to ask a veterinary epidemiologist technical questions and the compensation team was also represented.
Other questions raised were mainly around processes and reasoning behind various decisions.
Suggestions included setting out a plan for 12 months ahead so response activities can be factored into farming activities, field staff giving farmers a written receipt to confirm what action has been taken on their farm and setting up an online portal for farmers to provide access to all the information held about their farm.
“Certainly, we are taking away everything and while I can’t promise we can action them all we will consider them all,” Gwyn said.
Meetings have been held in Hamilton and Ashburton with Invercargill and Oamaru meetings scheduled for later this month.
MORE:
A video of M bovis response intelligence manager Alix Barclay explains how testing for the disease in infected cattle is done. It can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-pZMEQ2Ca8
