New movement restrictions boost Otago’s bovine TB protection

Disease eradication agency OSPRI’s introduction of a new Movement Control Area this week adds to initiatives already underway in Otago to eradicate bovine TB.

Restricting the movement of livestock is intended to be a precautionary measure, limiting disease spread.

The number of infected herds in the region has reduced recently to five in Otago - four beef herds and one deer. There are 16 infected herds across New Zealand.

“Otago, and central Otago in particular, is considered a hot spot for bovine TB because of the spread of the disease within the possum population in the area,” says Simon Andrew, OSPRI’s general manager of disease control planning and integration.

The possum is bovine TB’s main ‘vector’ or disease carrier.

“The movement control area we started from 1 October protects 110 farms within this region but also farms in surrounding disease-free regions.

“Other work we have underway in the area includes the assessment and scheduling of follow-up TB testing for animals which have grazed in TB risk areas.

“We have completed all the additional follow-up testing of animals which may have been in contact with those from currently and previously infected herds in the area.

“More than 1200 additional tracing tests have been completed in the area so far this year,” Simon says.

Earlier this year an aerial 1080 possum control operation was successfully delivered in the Clutha region. 

OSPRI is also increasing its wild animal control and survey programme for the 2025/2026 year, including additional possum control in the South Waitaki.

“Our possum control and wild animal surveying for the next financial year in Otago will cover 507,065 hectares. Just under 120,000 hectares will be in the South Waitaki.

“OSPRI will continue to increase its investment in TB eradication between the Waitaki and Clutha rivers, as the programme finishes up in other parts of the South Island.”