Notices to control M. bovis
To control Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis), we're issuing 2 types of legal notices to properties that are affected and properties that are suspected of being affected:
- Restricted Place Notices
- Notices of Direction.
Both types are to restrict the movement of any risk goods, including cattle and equipment, out of these properties. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) follows up all incidents of non-compliance of the notices.
Movement controls are only for cattle. Other species are excluded from controls and therefore do not need permits for movement. This is because of the extremely low transmission risk that we know other animals represent.
Restricted Place notices
All infected properties and properties suspected of having Mycoplasma bovis have a Restricted Place Notice (RP Notice) in place.
- The RP prohibits all unauthorised movements of farm stock and other risk goods onto and off the property. This minimises the chance of the disease spreading from the property.
- Any movement of cattle requires a permit from MPI.
- Transport vehicles must follow a cleaning and disinfection process when they leave a restricted place.
- Staff from the M. bovis Eradication Programme are ensuring that cleaning, disinfecting, and permit requirements are met.
A Restricted Place Notice is issued under section 130 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Notices of Direction
MPI issues a Notice of Direction (NOD) to farms when an authorised person believes that taking stock and other risk goods from a property could spread Mycoplasma bovis.
- The NOD aims to prevent further spread and doesn't restrict movement of stock or goods onto the farm.
- Cattle can only move off the farm with a permit.
- Other steps may be required (cleaning and disinfecting of vehicles).
MPI may issue a NOD when animals from infected properties move to that property, but testing has not happened yet. We may also issue the NOD if test results are still pending.
Sometimes we may issue a transitional NOD (TNOD). Reasons a TNOD would be issued include:
- to restrict the spread of disease to other cattle (the restriction prevents the affected farmer bringing on new cattle)
- to allow the completion and review of the EDIR (Exotic Disease Investigative Report) if not already completed to determine over what land the RP needs to sit and to ascertain what animals need to be included in the depopulation.
Properties with strong biosecurity practices, able to keep mobs separate, and with excellent record-keeping, are more likely to be able to have only parts of their property put under an RP and their farms partially depopulated. The EDIR document you work on with the vet will help to inform what may work for your property. Each case is different, and we will work with you on this.
A Notice of Direction is issued under section 122 of the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Who to contact
If you have questions about Mycoplasma bovis:
- freephone MPI on 0800 00 83 33
- email info@mpi.govt.nz
M. bovis newsletter
Subscribe to get regular updates, news and information sent to your email.
