Mycoplasma bovis decision
Following the government’s decision to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis, Waimate District Council is offering support to local farmers who face the loss of herds, income and productivity.
Mayor Craig Rowley says this is a very difficult time for farmers who are now having to face their herds being culled.
“This is a bold move on the part of the government and will have serious consequences for farmers and the wider farming community in our district,” says Mayor Rowley.
“We feel very much for farmers and will do what we can to support them, particularly as the process of eradication rolls out. Compensation from Central Government will be a key element in this process and we’ll play an active role to ensure farmers face the least amount of distress.”
As the lead agency, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will continue to actively engage with farmers. Yesterday they issued a statement saying that all farmers currently on Restrict Place Notices, including those on known infected farms, will be contacted by their ICP Managers to discuss the decision and its impact on them.
The decision means that all known infected farms, future infected herds found and many herds under Restricted Place Notices will need to be culled. The timing of this will take place in consultation with individual farmers to try to minimise production costs where possible, for example delaying culling until the end of the milking season.