TB testing reductions another step in eradication

TB testing reductions another step in eradicating the disease

Farmers and OSPRI continue to make good progress in their fight against bovine tuberculosis (TB) as high risk areas are reduced.

More than 3190 herds across 937,100 hectares will benefit from reductions in both Movement Control Areas (MCA) and cattle and deer bovine tuberculosis (TB) tests from 1 March 2015.

Herds throughout parts of North Canterbury, Otago and Southland will no longer require pre-movement TB testing, but will continue to be tested annually.

Dunsdale dairy farmer Kelvin Brock is moving out of the Hokonui MCA. He said the progress made by OSPRI’s TBfree programme through movement restrictions and possum control has been particularly satisfying.

Mr Brock has farmed the property for 28 years and now runs 620 cows on 250 hectares.

“Not being in a Movement Control Area and having to pre-movement test stock makes it heaps easier. We can now shift stock off the farm without getting the TB tester out which saves us a lot of time,” said Mr Brock.

“Pre-movement testing is a bit of a hassle. But I must say, we have never had any issues with the tester coming onto the farm, they always do a great job.”

TBfree appreciates the co-operation of farmers in letting testers and pest control contractors onto their properties. This plays a major part in the programme’s main objective of eradicating TB from at least 2.5 million hectares by 2026. The disease has been eradicated from some 830,000 hectares since 2011.

As TBfree makes progress towards this goal, more herds will benefit from testing and MCA reductions. However, bovine TB is still a threat and farmers need to fulfil their obligations in helping to manage the disease.

“We’ve been very lucky to avoid TB on the farm. But that’s because (TBfree) has done a great job of getting rid of the pests in the area. There used to be a phenomenal number of possums around some years ago, but now we hardly ever see one,” said Mr Brock.

Dairy farmers have significantly invested in the success of TBfree through their DairyNZ and slaughter levy.

“We welcome the reduction of high risk areas and the less frequent testing that goes with it,” said Dr Rick Pridmore, DairyNZ’s Strategy and Investment Leader.

“But farmers still need to be vigilant, especially when buying stock from other areas. Making sure you know the TB testing history when you buy animals is a good way to assess the risk incoming stock present to your herd.”

Key facts around the 1 March 2015 reduction in MCAs and TB testing requirements:

1538 herds in North Canterbury have reduced TB testing requirements
370 herds in North Canterbury no longer have to pre-movement TB test
461,000 hectares in total TB testing reductions
62,000 fewer TB tests in North Canterbury-Marlborough
19,600 fewer TB tests in the Southern South Island

To find out if you have been affected by the Disease Control Area changes, visit www.tbfree.co.nz/dcamap and enter your address.

OSPRI helps protect and enhance the reputation of New Zealand’s primary industries. It currently runs the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) and TBfree programmes.

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