In making the announcement, Minister for Agriculture and Biosecurity Damien O’Connor said controlling cattle leaving the South Island for the North Island was now a critical part of an intensified programme to control the further spread of the disease.
He said having viewed the NAIT report and learning that farm-to-farm recording may be as low as 30%, Operation Cook Strait had become necessary to have any chance of controlling the disease.
“There is no quick exit strategy for M bovis and farmers complying with NAIT is a bottom line for any option.
“Eradication is what everybody would like but it has to be technically possible, practically achievable and affordable for all.
“If we can’t improve NAIT compliance, we can’t get past go.”
Operation Cook Strait, based where trucks stop in the upper South Island and run by MPI, kicked in on Friday.
It will check that farmers moving cattle from the South to the North Island comply with their legal obligations under the NAIT Act.
Non-compliance would result in fines.
O’Connor said it was likely to be extended to other parts of the country.
He remained hopeful M bovis could be eradicated from New Zealand.
