The farm was identified through the tracing of animal movements from known infected farms and is under a Restricted Place legal notice under the Biosecurity Act.
MPI won’t publicly name the farm but neighbours who share a boundary with the infected property have been notified.
The risk to neighbouring farms is very low, it said.
As part of the Government and sector group programme to eradicate the disease all infected groups of cattle on the farm will ultimately be culled in agreement with the farmer concerned around timing.
MPI is planning a public meeting for next week in Northland and further information on the location and time will be released in the next few days.
“This is a good opportunity for farmers to check that they have robust biosecurity practices in place,” it said.
Some simple steps farmers can take include:
Carefully considering the disease status of new stock before animals are bought or moved;
Ensuring visitors clean and disinfect their equipment, clothing and footwear on arrival at a farm;
Ensuring boundary fences are secure and prevent nose-to-nose contact with neighbouring stock and;
Providing young calves with special protection, allowing only essential people in the calf shed.
“This is a really tough time for all the affected farmers who find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own,” MPI said.
MPI, Rural Support Trusts and industry groups are supporting them but they will also need support from their neighbours and the wider Northland community.
