Reports and reviews on M. bovis

A review of M. bovis in Canterbury

An independent review was commissioned after it became apparent in mid-2022 that infection was circulating in the Wakanui area in a way that could not be explained. Before this, there was no indication that transmission was occurring by other unknown transmission routes in New Zealand.

Dr Jonathan Happold did the review. He was asked to provide comment on the potential transmission routes, the effectiveness of disease control measures in place, and to identify any knowledge gaps. We released his findings in January 2023.

A review of Mycoplasma bovis in Canterbury (Full report) [PDF, 3.2 MB]

A review of Mycoplasma bovis in Canterbury (Summary) [PDF, 471 KB]

Independent review of the M. bovis programme

This review was commissioned by the Mycoplasma bovis Governance Group, which comprises DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). It was released in November 2021.

It captures lessons learned during the biosecurity response and subsequent eradication programme, and makes recommendations to further prepare the biosecurity system for any future animal disease incursions.

The review panel interviewed people who have worked on the programme from the early days of the response in 2017 to present day, in MPI and in sector groups. They spoke with farmers and other affected groups.

MPI, DairyNZ, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand have accepted the panel's recommendations and are implementing them.

Independent review of the Mycoplasma bovis Eradication Programme [PDF, 15 MB]

Report: Understanding farmers' stressors during the programme

This is one of several Mycoplasma bovis Science Programme research projects, which aim to support the eradication of the cattle disease M. bovis, reduce its impact, and leave New Zealand's biosecurity system stronger.

From this qualitative research study, MPI, DairyNZ, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand sought to understand the experiences of farmers and others involved in the programme to eradicate M. bovis, and how these insights could be used to reduce the impact on farmers, improve the delivery of the programme and future disease incursion programmes.

Information from this research was considered as part of the independent review.

Understanding farmers' stressors during their time in the M. bovis Eradication Programme [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Find more M. bovis Strategic Science Advisory Group research reports

Case management review and report

Two reviews were commissioned into the cause and impact of the backlog of animal movements to be processed through the Mycoplasma bovis Eradication Programme, and the resulting surge.

Report of MPI's chief science adviser Dr John Roche (July 2019) [PDF, 1.6 MB]

Review of case and data management (Dr Roger Paskin, OMNI Animal Health Consultancy – July 2019) [PDF, 932 KB]

Table of review and report recommendations (July 2019) [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Reports from the M. bovis Technical Advisory Group

The views and recommendations expressed in the reports are fully independent and are not government policy.

18 July 2021 TAG Report [PDF, 489 KB]
18 October 2019 TAG Report [PDF, 303 KB]
24 January 2019 TAG Report [PDF, 487 KB]
17 May 2018 TAG Report [PDF, 7.2 MB]
27 April 2018 TAG Report [PDF, 477 KB]
February 2018 TAG addendum report [PDF, 102 KB]
December 2017 TAG report [PDF, 10 MB]

Find more TAG reports and information

Technical Advisory Group (TAG)

Analysis of how M. bovis could have entered NZ

MPI carried out an analysis of 7 potential ways Mycoplasma bovis could have entered New Zealand. The pathways report reached no conclusion about how the disease arrived here. MPI continues to investigate the means of entry.

Pathways report [PDF, 3.1 MB]

We have always said with this disease outbreak that it is unlikely we will be able to determine the exact pathway. We remain of that view – however, the report provides insight into pathway risk to support future management decisions.

Timeline – Mycoplasma bovis in New Zealand [PDF, 88 KB]

Find out about our response to Mycoplasma bovis

Clinical impact research

As part of the Mycoplasma bovis Eradication Programme, in May 2018 MPI commissioned research into the clinical impact of the disease in New Zealand. A summary of the research, which was conducted by independent veterinarian Carolyn Hamill, was presented to a New Zealand Veterinarian Association conference in May.

Clinical impact research [PDF, 651 KB]

Redaction of information

Redactions have been made to the TAG and pathways reports consistent with provisions of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Where required, the Ministry for Primary Industries has considered the public interest when making decisions on the information being withheld.

Find other science-based reports