June 16, 2010
New Zealand's West Coast cattle pose disease threat
Environment Southland Councillors have been alarmed to learn that at least two Southland dairy herds have been found to be infected with Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) following the importation of animals from New Zealand's West Coast.
Southland was officially declared free of Bovine TB in 2008, a status which was only achieved with the investment of many tens of millions of dollars by the Animal Health Board and Environment Southland over several years.
Biosecurity Manager Richard Bowman said that stock in one herd near Edendale and another at Hokonui had tested positive for TB. Staff had heard anecdotal reports of more positive tests involving ex West Coast cattle on other farms, and were waiting for confirmation of those results. "It's an alarming trend," he said.
Chief Executive Ciaran Keogh said the Council was deeply frustrated because after more than 20 years of concerted effort and expenditure, the hard-won TB Free goal was being jeopardised by an Animal Health Board policy which allows animals to be imported into Southland from high TB risk areas.
Acting Council Chair Diane Wilson said that Southland ratepayers had invested significant amounts of money in the fight to eradicate Bovine TB from Southland and the Council was right to be concerned.
