TB rates drop again

The battle to vanquish bovine tuberculosis or TB from New Zealand is in top gear as infected herd numbers fell for the 15th consecutive year.

Animal Health Board technical manager Paul Livingstone says the drop in infection rates will allow for movement control boundary changes and a reduction in TB testing.

Farmers throughout New Zealand will certainly reap the rewards from falling TB levels in cattle and deer, says Dr Livingstone.

Success of the vector control programme and the resulting drop in infected herd numbers means changes will be made to several special testing areas. This in turn will lead to a reduction in TB testing schedules on more than 2045 farms across New Zealand.

"What’s more, another 1500 farmers no longer need to pre-movement test their animals before they sell or shift them. We have achieved this through proactive possum control, TB testing and stock movement monitoring. Yet none of it would have been possible without the help and cooperation of farmers."

Farmers’ support for the eradication of TB is a key ingredient to the successful implementation of the National Bovine Tuberculosis Pest Management Strategy. The strategy is the catalyst for reducing TB infected herds, of which there are about 120 – 17 percent less than this time last year.

Farmers with questions about the strategy or are unsure of their TB testing requirements can call 0800-482-4636.

- © Fairfax NZ News