Six more herds with Tb

Around 80 farmers who have been updated on the Northland region's bovine tuberculosis-infected herds at a meeting organised by TBfree New Zealand heard that six more herds had been identified as infected. Those herds were linked to the movement of stock off a farm that was found to be infected late last year.

Routine tracing of all stock movements from the TB-infected herds was on-going, TBfree Northland committee chairman Neil MacMillan said, and the infected animals from all seven properties had been sent to slaughter.

Cattle over 12 months of age within a 10- to 15-kilometre radius of Kaitaia had been placed on an annual testing programme, and cattle Tb testing contractors were now working to identify any signs of the disease in other herds. Checks for Tb were also taking place at meat processing plants.

As a precautionary measure, contractors would continue trapping wild animals in the area to check the disease was not present in wildlife populations, particularly possums. The trapping and post mortem of wild animals had shown no sign that the disease had spread to wildlife.

Mr MacMillan said TBfree New Zealand appreciated the co-operation of farmers and land owners in allowing TB testing and wild animal control contractors' access to their properties, adding that the herd infections were a sharp reminder that farmers could become complacent when buying and selling stock.

"They must follow the correct requirements, or risk placing their livelihoods in danger through the possible spread of the disease," he said.

"Farmers also need to ensure they register their herd with TBfree New Zealand."

Anyone who was in any doubt about an animal's Tb risk status was urged to contact TBfree New Zealand on 0800 482-4636 for information about its movement history.