Media release

31 January 2012

Auckland region free of bovine TB

Cattle and deer herds in the Auckland region are again free of bovine tuberculosis (TB) now that an infected property on the Awhitu Peninsula has been cleared of the disease.

TBfree Auckland Committee Chairman Keith Kelly thanked the herdowner and local community possum control scheme for their co-operation in clearing TB from the property and ensuring there was no risk of the disease spreading across the region.

“In this case, all stock purchases were fully compliant. However, we remind herdowners receiving stock to be mindful of the risks of introducing TB into their own herd. We need to remain vigilant and protect our businesses from the potential ravages of the disease,” said Mr Kelly.

The herd was cleared through an extensive TB testing, movement control and wild animal monitoring regime, with excellent support from both the herdowner and community groups.

“Surveys in the area have given us confidence that the infection was not transmitted to wild animal populations in the region,” said Mr Kelly.

The Awhitu Peninsula Landcare community possum control scheme helps maintain low pest population densities on the peninsula, contributing greatly to this confidence.

“The joint Auckland Council and community run scheme allowed the Animal Health Board to remove the disease from the previously infected herd without the threat of further livestock succumbing to TB-infected possums,” said Mr Kelly.

“We need to look at New Zealand as one big farm, where herdowners continue to have their animals regularly tested for TB. It’s also about making wise purchasing decisions to protect the reputation and value of our region’s high-quality dairy, beef and deer exports.”

The disease is known to be present in wild animals across 40 per cent of the country and possums continue to be the main source of the disease in farmed cattle and deer. Stock movements into the Auckland region from these high risk areas still pose a very real threat.

In all cases, herdowners should carefully check the TB status of stock entering their property. If the information on the Animal Status Declaration form is incomplete or not supplied, the animals should not be accepted.

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