Rural Communities Need to Support Those Affected by Mycoplasma Bovis Cull

Rural communities need to band together to support the farmers affected by the government decision to cull all cattle affected by the Mycoplasma Bovis outbreak says New Zealand First’s Primary Industries spokesperson Mark Patterson.

“Farmers whose stock is being culled are in effect being asked to make a sacrifice of behalf of others in the sector as well as the economy as a whole,” said Mr Patterson.

“It is important to see the human cost these affected farmers face with their stock loss, and not just dollars and cents,” he said.

“While I think the decision to proceed with cull is the correct one, it will impact heavily on many vulnerable families who will need our support.”

“Although other courses of action were canvassed, the evidence to date shows that young stock in particular can suffer high mortality due to infection and therefore making eradication the best path to follow,” said Mr Patterson.

“The decision does provide some certainty to what has been a very fluid situation which created ongoing anxiety and stress across the whole farming community.”

“The whole episode highlights the importance of traceability for the entire agricultural sector and the need to embrace NAIT across the industry, especially with Moving Day being upon us,” he said.

ENDS

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