Annual Report shows landmark progress for TB contr

Annual Report shows landmark progress for TB control

The Animal Health Board’s (AHB) 2009/10 Annual Report reflects on what has been a period of significant progress for the organisation.

“It gives me great pleasure to report on an exceptional year for protecting the country from bovine tuberculosis (TB),” said AHB Chief Executive William McCook.

“Of particular significance was the drop in TB-infected herd numbers to less than 100 for the first time in the history of New Zealand’s TBfree programme,” he said.

“Our proposed amendment to the National Pest Management Strategy is also with the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry for approval.

“The strategy maps out the future of TB management in New Zealand and includes a proposal to eradicate TB in wildlife from 2.5 million hectares, or one quarter, of the total area deemed by the AHB to present a wild animal disease risk.

“The support and commitment of the farming sector continued to be a major contributor to the success of the TBfree programme in 2009/10.

“The AHB helped the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) develop FarmsOnLine and contributed to the MAF-led Future of Pest Management project.

“We also worked closely with the Department of Conservation, providing mutual benefits for the farming and conservation sectors,” Mr McCook said.

To read or download the AHB’s 2009/10 Annual Report, please go to wwwahb.org.nz and click on the link under What's New.

ENDS

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