July 13, 2010

Some areas of the southern North Island are still affected with bovine tuberculosis (TB), says regional co-ordinator for the Animal Health Board, Terry Hynes.

"Areas that have had possum control for a number of years are surveyed to ensure that we no longer have TB in the wild animal population. In these areas possums, ferrets and wild pigs, if they are present, are caught and post-mortemed," he says.

Mr Hynes states that wild pigs are a good indicating sentinel species for the presence of TB as they scavenge on possum carcasses and can easily become infected. He says all animals that are in movement control areas must be tested within 60 days of being moved. The only exception is if they are going direct to slaughter.

"If an animal reacts positive to the skin tests for TB, then a more accurate and specific blood test is usually applied to rule out any other cause of the skin test reaction. Those animals that test positive to the blood test are slaughtered," Mr Hynes says.

The number of infected herds is now well below 100. He says there are only two infected herds in the Manawatu-Whanganui region, four in Hawke's Bay and five in the greater Wellington region, which includes Wairarapa. He says small lifestyle blocks are a risk if they are in movement control areas and not under test, but he says they should all be registered with the AHB.

"We do rely on them contacting us. But an added incentive for lifestylers to register their herds is that all cattle must have AHB ear tags when they go to a saleyards, or go for slaughter," he added.

They must also be accompanied by an animal status declaration form. Hynes further says that, "To be able to purchase the official tags, owners must be registered with the AHB and have a registered herd number."

Mr Hynes says some people have been concerned that cattle from bovine TB movement control areas and possibly infected herds in the South Island have been trucked to saleyards and lifestyle blocks in the southern North Island without the required TB tests.

If they were coming from any infected herd they would also have to be TB-tested and possibly blood tested prior to moving as well. They could then move only under permit to an appointed place.

"This, I can assure, is not happening. To be transported, stock must have had a clear TB test within the last 60 days prior to movement. All cattle that have been brought up from the South Island have had the required TB tests and none have come from infected herds," says Mr Hynes.