The Southland farming community has reached zero cases of Mycoplasma bovis, a cattle disease first detected in NZ on 22 July 2017. Estimated economic losses would be $1.3b if allowing M.bovis to spread, along with substantial animal welfare issues and challenges for farmer to manage the disease within their herds. The Ministry for Primary Industries, DairyNZ, and Beef + Lamb NZ jointly funded and established a Government Industry Agreement Programme, with estimated budget of $870m (68% provided by government and 32% from farmer levies) for the 10-year Programme.

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