Listen: Fed Farmers 'hacked off' at slow M. bovis compo process

President (and interim CEO) of Federated Farmers, Katie Milne. Photo / Supplied

The search is on for a new CEO of Federated Farmers, with President Katie Milne assuming the role of acting chief executive in the interim.

Milne spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay saying Federated Farmers is currently going through a list of people for the CEO and although she is busy fulfilling both roles, she has a good team around her to help with the workload.

"Things are ticking along - business as usual at the moment."

Mycoplasma bovis is still a major issue for Federated Farmers but Milne says there is a feeling of confidence that the cattle disease can be contained and that eradication is "a very valid option."

Compensation for farmers with properties affected by M. bovis is not such positive topic and Milne is concerned that the Ministry for Primary Industries has been slow with payouts.

"The compensation is very slow at the moment and that is very, very frustrating. We're all getting pretty hacked off with that."

Milne also expressed concern that "bean counters in Wellington" may not understand the pressure that rural people are under due to seasonal timeframes.

She urges farmers to get their affairs in order and be accurate with information to help the compensation process.

Listen below: