M. bovis programme is transitioning to OSPRI
Disease management agency OSPRI took over managing the day-to-day delivery of the Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) Eradication Programme from 1 November 2023. This includes:
- regular testing of milk and animals to detect any bovis infection
- managing any active or newly-detected properties
- depopulation and site cleaning of any affected properties
- farmer support.
This change was the start of transitioning the whole programme to OSPRI, with the goal of eradicating M. bovis from New Zealand by 2028. As the estimated 10-year eradication plan passes its half-way mark, the move to OSPRI signals the next logical step – ending the active management of M. bovis and transitioning to monitoring and responding to any new detection of the disease.
If this ambitious target is met, New Zealand will be the first country in the world to successfully eradicate the disease.
During the transition, MPI and its partners DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand remained accountable for the management and success of the programme under the current Government Industry Agreement (GIA).
The National Pest Management Plan for Mycoplasma bovis
From 1 January 2025, M. bovis will be fully managed by OSPRI under a National Pest Management Plan (NPMP).
The NPMP provides legislative authority for OSPRI, as the management agency, to deliver the eradication programme, including any disease surveillance and enforcement of plan rules. Moving the programme to OSPRI draws on existing disease management capability developed through the Bovine Tb programme (also delivered under an NPMP).
MPI publicly consulted on the M. bovis NPMP in 2023. The NPMP introduces some new requirements, including all non-commercial dairies requiring bulk tank screening, additional requirements around surveillance and testing for high-risk businesses if needed, and requirements to trace raw milk supply from 1 July 2025.
Find out about the NPMP proposal and the consultation outcomes
Administration of the Mycoplasma bovis Eradication Programme
How these changes will affect farmers
Farmers should not be affected by the move of the programme from MPI to OSPRI, and M. bovis levies will not increase.
You can learn more about the changes to the M.bovis Programme and what to expect on OSPRI’s website:
