A movement control area (MCA) in Hawke's Bay expanded on 1 March to prevent the spread of TB infection into other areas. About 570 farms in the area between the Tutaekuri and the Mohaka rivers are affected. 

The expansion of the MCA is a temporary measure and will be relaxed as disease management clears infection and restores TB-free status.  This number is likely to go up and down initially until the control measures take effect. 

The MCA covers farms between the Tutaekuri River near Napier and north of the Mohaka River. Check to see if your property is in the MCA here. 

If your farm is within the MCA here is what you need to know:  

• Cattle and deer over 3 months of age need a clear TB test at least 60 days before moving off your farm.

• Cattle and deer moving direct to slaughter do not need to be TB tested.

• Animals moving within the MCA to a piece of land you lawfully occupy do not need a pre-movement test UNLESS there is a different herd with a different herd number on the destination property.

• To book a pre-movement test please call 800 482 463. We need you to make this booking no later than 14 days before you intend to move or sell your animals.  

An extensive testing programme to test for TB in herds in the area is underway. For this testing, you don't need to do anything - we will contact you. 

In case of a positive blood test, the OSPRI team is on hand to support. Your case management team can talk you through selling your animal, slaughter and transport arrangements to clear infection from your herd. 

The health, wellbeing and welfare of Hawke’s Bay farmers is top priority for OSPRI as it manages the response to TB infections in cattle in the region during a time of drought, feed shortages and financial hardship for many.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council data in July 2020 indicates some 3000 farms in the drought-affected area of Central Hawke’s Bay and outlying areas of Hastings. There is a conservative assessment that half of those farms need support.

For some farmers, a TB infection puts extra strain on farm management. OSPRI will: 

• Provide everyone with weekly updates on the progress of disease eradication
• Help arrange TB testing
• Answer your questions - our team in Napier can help and will visit your farm
• Hold regular farmer meetings, open to all
• Make the latest information available on the OSPRI website
• Work with Federated Farmers, Beef+Lamb NZ, DairyNZ and Deer Industry NZ to support you.

Below is some guidance on support services in the region.

Hawke’s Bay TB Movement Control Area

A temporary extended movement control area (MCA) is in place in the area between the Tutaekuri and the Mohaka rivers to contain the disease and ultimately return the region to TB-free status.

For more information see the Movement Control Area section on this page, or call 0800 482 463

NAIT

All farmers and people in charge of animals are legally obliged to update their NAIT account when farming cattle and deer. Not doing so, compromises biosecurity response and preparedness, food safety and effective livestock traceability.

For help and advice on meeting your NAIT requirements, contact the OSPRI Contact Centre Monday to Friday: 7am-6pm on 0800 482 463

Ministry for Primary Industries

Advice on a full range of support, including feed planning, government financial support and mental health/social support is here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/40907-2020-ae-farming-through-drought-web-pdf

Also see MPI’s drought pages: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/responding/adverse-events/support-during-a-drought/

Animal Welfare

It matters how animals are treated. We all have responsibilities toward animals in our care and those affected by our activities. In times of adverse events, maintaining the welfare of livestock can be a challenge. This is why it’s important to seek help if you are struggling to look after your animals. Some of the contacts on this sheet will be a good source of advice.

Also – if you believe you have seen cases of animal ill-treatment or cruelty, please report it to 0800 00 83 33 (Select option 2 from the menu).

Free feed planning and co-ordination services

Free support with feed planning and help sourcing feed is available to ALL farmers and stock owners, nationwide. Call to talk through your feed plan:

• Dry stock – 0800 BEEFLAMB (0800 233 352)

• Dairy sector – DairyNZ 0800 4DAIRY (0800 4 324 7969)

Mycoplasma bovis – support for farmers

As work continues to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis, some farmers may be experiencing stress.

Good information about support available is here:  https://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/protection-and-response/mycoplasma-bovis/advice-for-farmers-under-controls/support-for-farmers/

And this factsheet contains useful advice: https://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/dmsdocument/22171-looking-after-yourself-your-family-your-neighbours-your-staff-and-your-community-as-we-find-and-fight-the-mycoplasma-bovis-bacteria

Rural Support Trust

There are dedicated teams supporting Hawke’s Bay farmers and rural communities.

Contact: Lon Anderson - (06) 858 8234 or (027) 249 5713 - lonanderson32@gmail.com

Or contact the Rural Support Trust’s 0800 number: 0800 RURAL HELP (800 787 254).

http://www.rural-support.org.nz/

In some cases bovine TB can be passed to humans and household pets, but the chance of this happening is very low. 

The best protection for yourself and your family is to:

• Make sure all meat is well cooked
• Eat and drink pasteurised dairy products - avoid raw milk
• Keep dogs on-lead in or near bush areas
• Keep cats inside at night
• Don't feed raw possum meat to pets

• Check if you're affected by the MCA
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - Hawke's Bay
• Book a TB test for your animals here.
• Contact OSPRI on the phone for more help 0800 482 463 

The OSPRI team is confident that we can manage the TB infection, remove infected animals from herds and return Hawke's Bay livestock to TB-free status. But we cannot do it alone. This has to be a collective effort on all our parts to get the result we want.

Farmers are our primary focus and restoring your bio-security is a primary focus for the duration of this disease response -- let's work together.  

You'll find below information on how to book a TB test and OSPRI's 0800 number for help. Please call us for assistance 8am-5pm Mon-Fri. Don't hesitate to email us (HBresponse@ospri.co.nz) with any questions and we will post the answers on this website if it will be useful to other farmers.