Listen: Mixed feelings over Mycoplasma bovis action

DairyNZ CEO Dr Tim Mackle. Photo / Supplied

It has been a busy week for all involved with the Mycoplasma bovis response with MPI announcing it will cull over 22,000 cattle affected by the cattle disease.

DairyNZ's CEO Dr Tim Mackle spoke to The Country Early Edition's Rowena Duncum about the latest developments in the M. bovis response and how farmers are coping with events.

News that MPI has raided three properties to find the source of M. bovis in New Zealand has indicated that the response is moving swiftly says Dr Mackle.

"Everyone wants to know how this thing got into this country...because they want to know how we avoid it going forward."

Meat and milk from infected cattle are safe to eat says Dr Mackle who is concerned with growing public perception that consuming products from culled cattle carries a risk.

Dr Mackle says he has been in contact with farmers affected by Mycoplasma bovis and reports there are mixed feelings of optimism and sadness.

"On one side of the coin the announcement by MPI about the 28 herd depopulation exercise is a positive move in the sense that it indicates a level of confidence that we can continue to work towards eradication. At the same time it's devastating as well for the farmers involved."

Dr Mackle hopes people will realise the affect this disease has on farmers who will need support to deal with the loss of stock.

Listen below: