M. bovis pest management plan

Eradicating M. bovis from New Zealand

The M. bovis Eradication Programme started in 2018 and is expected to be a 10-year programme, with the goal of achieving nationwide eradication by June 2028. New Zealand is making good progress towards achieving our eradication goal.

Since 1 January 2025, the M. bovis Eradication Programme has been managed by OSPRI under a National Pest Management Plan. Its work focuses on:

background surveillance of the national herd through continued milk and abattoir testing
managing properties if infected cattle are detected
supporting affected farmers.

You can read about OSPRI’s programme to deliver the M. bovis pest management plan on its website.

The Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) programme – OSPRI

Biosecurity (National Mycoplasma Bovis Pest Management Plan) Order 2024 – NZ Legislation

Background to the plan development

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) publicly consulted on the M. bovis pest management plan in 2023.

Consultation: Administration of the Mycoplasma bovis Eradication Programme

What is M. bovis?

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is a bacterial disease that creates animal welfare and productivity issues. It can cause serious health conditions in cattle, including mastitis (udder infection), pneumonia, arthritis, and ill-thrift in calves. Less commonly, it can cause progressive neurological disease in calves, conjunctivitis, and reproductive losses.

M. bovis typically spreads between cattle when they have close contact, such as when they:

mix together in a paddock, pen, milking shed, or calf shed
walk down a road where nose-to-nose contact is possible with cattle held in paddocks next to the road
stray across boundaries by crossing fence lines
are calves and are fed milk or colostrum from infected cows.

The M. bovis bacterium does not pose a risk to human health. It’s safe to eat meat and drink milk from infected cattle.

Working together with industry to achieve eradication

Since the beginning of the M. bovis Eradication Programme, MPI has worked in partnership with DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

The partners continue to work with OSPRI as they deliver the M. bovis National Pest Management Plan.

Find out more about M. bovis on OSPRI's website

About Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis)

How Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) surveillance works

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) support for farmers

Compensation for Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis)

Testing in the M. bovis programme

Diagnostic laboratories testing samples collected as part of the M. bovis programme must be approved by an MPI chief technical officer.

The programme tests samples collected for:

programme surveillance
investigating suspected cases.

There are 3 tests approved under Schedule 1, clause 3 of the National Pest Management Plan Order to detect M. bovis. They are the Mycoplasma bovis:

ELISA test on bulk milk
ELISA test on serum
PCR test.

Tests must be processed at laboratories that have also been approved under the National Pest Management Plan.

Approved diagnostic laboratories for M. bovis

The following laboratories have been approved as diagnostic laboratories under Schedule 1, clause 3 of the Order, subject to the outlined conditions:

AsureQuality Lower Hutt: may only test samples for the purposes of the Order using the Mycoplasma bovis ELISA test method.
SVS Laboratories: may only test samples for the purposes of the Order using the Mycoplasma bovis ELISA and the PCR test methods.
MilkTestNZ: may only test samples for the purposes of the Order using the Mycoplasma bovis ELISA test method.

MPI's Animal Health Laboratory is also an approved laboratory

An MPI chief technical officer has permitted MPI's Animal Health Laboratory to do specified activities under sections 52 and 53 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

To knowingly communicate and/or to propagate, breed, or multiply any organism of the following types:
- bacterium (including 'mycoplasma' and 'chlamydia')
- virus
- fungus
- rickettsia
- parasites
- a particle that is a prion, or
- unknown.
For the purpose of diagnostic testing, developing diagnostic tests, preparing diagnostic reagents, organism identification, assessing diagnostic measures taken to eradicate or manage an organism, and/or scientific research.

OSPRI's website has more information about testing for M. bovis outside of the programme.

MBfree legislation – OSPRI