Active surveillance is a phase in the eradication programme. Farms are placed under Active Surveillance where there is a low risk that cattle on the farm have been exposed to M. bovis.
These farms are required to undergo testing and the management groups (mobs) of cattle that might have been exposed will be tested to determine their disease status.
The risk is so low that the farms do not need to be placed under movement restrictions, however testing is necessary to ensure that there is no infection within these management groups.
Farms under Active Surveillance are not subject to legal controls, such as restrictions on moving cattle on or off-farm. You can continue farming as normal.
Note: a farm under Active Surveillance is different to an Active Confirmed Property which is a farm that has been found to be infected with M. bovis and is under a number of strict legal controls.
A farm is placed under Active Surveillance if the risk of M. bovis infection in cattle is low.
For example the farm:
A very small number of farms placed under Active Surveillance are found to be infected.
There’s no evidence of M. bovis spreading across farm boundaries, unless cattle have mixed or interacted.
Farms placed under Active Surveillance have sampling and testing carried out to confirm the disease status of their cattle.
The farms aren’t under any legal restrictions and can farm normally.
Blood samples will be taken from cattle at risk of infection.
All cattle tested must be identified with a NAIT approved RFID tag.
If each group of cattle tested contains a minimum of 40 cattle, only one negative round of testing is required to determine that M. bovis infection is absent.
If all groups test negative then testing and Active Surveillance on your property will end.
Groups of cattle of fewer than 40 animals require two consecutive negative rounds of testing for the Programme to determine the absence of M. bovis infection in those groups.
Blood samples collected from farms under Active Surveillance are tested using the ELISA test.
If your circumstances change (e.g. if a new infection risk, such as an animal movement is associated with your farm) your farm may re-enter the M. bovis Programme and testing may be carried out again in the future.
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We can help cover the cost of mustering stock for testing if it is going to cause a disruption to business as usual operations on your farm.
For more information contact: Verification and Allocation team (04) 831 2197 or email: Mbovis_verification&allocation@mpi.govt.nz
Remember you're always responsible for the welfare of animals under your care. If a farm is placed under Active Surveillance or movement restrictions, your animal welfare responsibilities do not change. More information on animal welfare responsibilities.
All farms under Active Surveillance have access to a dedicated team in the Programme’s national office.
Call: (04) 831 2197 or email: Mbovis_verification&allocation@mpi.govt.nz
The management groups tested will be determined to be free of disease, and testing will be completed.
While testing under Active Surveillance can often be completed in just one round, sometimes a second or third round may be necessary.
If testing detects possible M. bovis in your cattle, the cattle will be placed under a Notice of Direction while further testing is done.
You will be assigned a Farm Systems Manager to work with you through this process.
Results can take several weeks under some circumstances.
Our Active Surveillance Liaison team will contact you with the results of each round of testing and discuss any future action needed.
You will also receive written confirmation of your test results.
Farmer tip
It’s important to look after yourself, family and whānau, staff and neighbours as we find and fight M. bovis.
Good support networks and time with your mates can make a big difference to how you feel when dealing with things that are outside of your control.
