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MBfree legislation overview

Find out about the legislation governing the MBfree programme.
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National Operational Plan will introduce some new requirements

The MBfree programme has been administered under a National Pest Management Plan (NPMP) since 1 January 2025. Under the NPMP, OSPRI must have a National Operational Plan (NOP) to deliver the programme. The NOP is scheduled to be in place by March 2025.

Although we anticipate that most farmers will not notice any significant differences in the field, the NOP will introduce new obligations affecting:

  • laboratories testing for Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis)
  • suppliers, receivers and transporters of raw milk for cattle feed from 1 July 2025
  • a small number of high-risk businesses.

The National Pest Management Plan (NPMP) for Mycoplasma bovis is given legal effect by the Biosecurity (National Mycoplasma Bovis Pest Management Plan) Order 2024 (the Order).

M. bovis Free New Zealand Limited (MBfree) — an OSPRI subsidiary — is the management agency for the NPMP, pursuant to Section 100 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 and Clause 6 of the Order.

MBfree National Operational Plan

MBfree will prepare a NOP to meet NPMP objectives, as required under Section 100B of the Biosecurity Act 1993.

The Order came into force on 1 January 2025. OSPRI must produce a NOP within 3 months of the national plan coming into effect.

Biosecurity (National Mycoplasma Bovis Pest Management Plan) Order 2024
Biosecurity (National Mycoplasma Bovis Pest Management Plan) Order 2024 – Clause 6
Biosecurity Act 1993 – Section 100
Biosecurity Act 1993 – Section 100B