Significant analysis led to the decision
The Government along with the dairy and beef industries have agreed that an attempt will be made to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis. This means we're trying to completely get rid of Mycoplasma bovis from New Zealand's dairy and beef herds. The decision was announced on 28 May 2018. We expect to do most of the eradication work in 1 to 2 years.
Technical experts and economists have carried out significant analysis and modelling to:
- determine how the disease could affect herds into the future
- evaluate the costs and benefits of attempting eradication.
All agreed that this is the best action to protect the national herd of dairy and beef cattle and to give farmers certainty. The welfare of both farmers and their animals is at the heart of the decision.
As at 25 June 2018, the disease is still not widespread (42 infected farms) and there is just one strain of the disease here. Eradicating Mycoplasma bovis won't be easy, but if we don't try now, we will never get another chance.
Find out more
- Phased eradication of Mycoplasma bovis – fact sheet [PDF, 649 KB]
- Timeline of Mycoplasma bovis in New Zealand [PDF, 88 KB]
- Key facts about Mycoplasma bovis for farmers [PDF, 506 KB]
- Letter to farmers about the decision [PDF, 715 KB]
Mycoplasma bovis 2019 National Plan
The three eradication partners released a plan on 5 April 2019 to set out three goals for the next year.
- Eradicate M. bovis.
- Reduce the impact of the M. bovis eradication programme on farmers, families and communities.
- Apply the lessons learnt to further strengthen the biosecurity system.
Mycoplasma bovis 2019 National Plan [PDF, 5.5 MB]
Industry support for eradication
DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, and Beef+Lamb New Zealand support MPI's decisions. They also recognise that this is a difficult time for the farmers involved.
The industry organisations believe that the measures are necessary to protect all New Zealand cattle farms from the disease. New Zealand is one of the few countries where Mycoplasma bovis is not found naturally. Because of this, the industry groups support measures to keep it that way.
Advice for affected farmers
- How the eradication will work
- Support for farmers under controls
- Advice for farmers, industry, and the public
- Compensation
Who to contact
If you have any questions about Mycoplasma bovis
- Email info@mpi.govt.nz
- Call MPI on 0800 00 83 33
Farmers can also contact their industry body
- Dairy NZ: 0800 43 24 79 69
- Beef+Lamb: 0800 23 33 52
- Federated Farmers: 0800 32 76 46