It will be released once sampling guidelines, a testing strategy and possibly an accreditation programme have been developed to ensure the test can be accurately applied and interpreted.
Primary Industries Ministry response director Geoff Gwyn said a partnership between MPI, commercial laboratories and industry representatives had been working hard to provide better diagnostic tests to help detect the cattle disease.
“However, while testing options and solutions are becoming available we have identified that interpreting a one-off test result, even at the herd level, in isolation to other factors is challenging and carries inherent risk for farmers.
“The tests currently available will lead to a significant number of farms being falsely identified as positive and farms that may be real positives being missed.
“That’s why we are developing robust processes, including a testing strategy and sampling guidelines which may form part of an accreditation programme,” Gwyn said.
Veterinary Association, Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, the Dairy Companies Association, Federated Farmers, AsureQuality, MilkTest NZ, LIC, Veterinary Pathology, SVS Laboratories and Gribbles Veterinary Pathology had been working on the new test.
Farmers with mastitis cases should contact their veterinarian who can submit samples to a veterinary diagnostic lab for testing. MPI pays for tests.
Farmers who suspect Mycoplasma bovis in cattle should contact the MPI disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
To report movements to or from an infected property they should call the MPI freephone 0800 00 83 33.
For properties not under MPI movement controls MPI recommends following suggested biosecurity protocols at:
