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Update – 11 November 2021

Independent review of the M. bovis Programme released

This review was commissioned by the Mycoplasma bovis Governance Group, which comprises DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

It captures lessons learned during the biosecurity response and subsequent eradication programme, and makes recommendations to further prepare the biosecurity system for any future animal disease incursions.

The review panel interviewed people who have worked on the programme from the early days of the response in 2017 to present day, in MPI and in sector groups. They spoke with farmers and other affected groups.

MPI, DairyNZ, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand have accepted the panel's recommendations and are implementing them.

Independent review of the Mycoplasma bovis Programme [PDF, 15 MB]

Report: Understanding farmers' stressors during the programme

This is one of several Mycoplasma bovis Science Programme research projects, which aim to support the eradication of the cattle disease M. bovis, reduce its impact, and leave New Zealand's biosecurity system stronger.

From this qualitative research study, MPI, DairyNZ, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand sought to understand the experiences of farmers and others involved in the programme to eradicate M. bovis, and how these insights could be used to reduce the impact on farmers, improve the delivery of the programme and future disease incursion programmes.

Information from this research was considered as part of the independent review.

Understanding farmers' stressors during their time in the M. bovis Programme [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Find more M. bovis Strategic Science Advisory Group research reports

Latest report from the M. bovis Technical Advisory Group   

The independent Technical Advisory Group provided their latest report on 24 March 2021.

Latest TAG report [PDF, 489 KB]

Case management review and report

Two reviews were commissioned into the cause and impact of the backlog of animal movements to be processed through the Mycoplasma bovis Programme, and the resulting surge.

Report of MPI's chief science adviser Dr John Roche (July 2019) [PDF, 1.6 MB]

Review of case and data management (Dr Roger Paskin, OMNI Animal Health Consultancy – July 2019) [PDF, 932 KB]

Table of review and report recommendations (July 2019) [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Technical Advisory Group (TAG)

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) convened a group of technical experts to review its response to Mycoplasma bovis. The report from the group includes a secondary addendum report produced after the group reconvened when the disease was found in Southland. 

TAG biographies (May 2018) [PDF, 437 KB]

TAG recommendations and MPI's response to them [PDF, 228 KB], TAG report TAG addendum report (February 2018) [PDF, 102 KB]

Additional TAG reports

The TAG has continued to provide MPI with independent advice on the feasibility of eradicating Mycoplasma bovis from New Zealand and other key areas affecting the response. The TAG is made up of New Zealand and international experts that sit outside MPI’s Mycoplasma bovis response. TAG advice is an important input into response decision-making. The views and recommendations expressed in the reports are fully independent and are not government policy.

Analysis of how the disease could have entered NZ

MPI carried out an analysis of 7 potential ways Mycoplasma bovis could have entered New Zealand. The pathways report reached no conclusion about how the disease arrived here. MPI continues to investigate the means of entry.

Pathways report [PDF, 3.1 MB]

We have always said with this disease outbreak that it is unlikely we will be able to determine the exact pathway. We remain of that view – however, the report provides insight into pathway risk to support future management decisions.

Timeline – Mycoplasma bovis in New Zealand [PDF, 88 KB]

Find out about our response to Mycoplasma bovis

Clinical impact research

As part of the Mycoplasma bovis Programme, in May 2018 MPI commissioned research into the clinical impact of the disease in New Zealand. A summary of the research, which was conducted by independent veterinarian Carolyn Hamill, was presented to a New Zealand Veterinarian Association conference in May.

Clinical impact research [PDF, 651 KB]

Redaction of information

Redactions have been made to the TAG and pathways reports consistent with provisions of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Where required, the Ministry for Primary Industries has considered the public interest when making decisions on the information being withheld.

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