Hon Damien O’Connor
Minister of Agriculture
Minister for Biosecurity
MEDIA STATEMENT
29 May 2018
New field staff for Mycoplasma bovis eradication
The fight against Mycoplasma bovis is escalating with 50 more staff, a new field HQ and the appointment of a science
adviser, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.
“Today 25 new Incident Control Point managers enter the field after completing training yesterday.
“These case managers are appointed to work one-on-one with affected farmers under movement controls. They support
farmers with information and advice on the practical aspects of the controls.
“A further 25 will undergo training in coming weeks, greatly boosting capacity to help those farmers affected by the
disease.
“The 50 new Incident Control Point staff are on top of the 250 at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) already
undertaking this work. MPI’s compensation team was also recently increased from 22 to 30 and is expected to double in
size as the response progresses.
“MPI has also opened a new Field HQ in Cambridge.
“Newly appointed science adviser Dr John Roche has been tasked with researching new tools for the fight against
Mycoplasma bovis.
“Dr Roche has a PhD in ruminant nutrition from the National University of Ireland and has most recently worked as a
principal scientist at DairyNZ and adjunct professor in animal science at Lincoln University.
“He will provide strategic science advice across MPI and his first task will be to head up a new Mycoplasma bovis
Science Strategic Advisory Group.
“There has been little international investment in science around this disease so the group will look into testing
developments to detect Mycoplasma bovis in individual cows, grow understanding of the disease and identify opportunities
to support the New Zealand eradication operation.
“With his background in Ireland, where Mycoplasma bovis is widespread, Dr Roche will be ideally placed to lead this
work,” says Damien O’Connor.