In an historic move, the Animal Health Board has announced TB testing restrictions for more than 5000 herds have been reduced.

The affected herds are mostly located in the lower South and upper North Islands, where isolation is thought to have kept infection rates in check.

The AHB’s Technical and Farm Services Manager, Stu Hutchings, says there are also herds near Taupo, and in the Hawke’s Bay that will benefit from the easing of restrictions.

"In the north island, around South Kaipara Head, South Te Amuri and the Waipawa districts all have relaxation with their annual testing requirements.

"In the South Island a huge area covering the south of the South Island region is being relaxed, affecting around 4000 herds."

Dr Hutchings says the change will mean the 5000 or so herds will now only need to be tested once every two or three years.

"The reductions are a result of very successful implementation of the TB strategy, especially in the South Island.

"Primarily a lot of the areas are going to have reduced testing requirements, so in some years annual will become bi-annual, and bi-annual will become tri-annual."

The total number of infected herds in New Zealand has gone from around 1700 in the year 2000 to fewer than 70 at last count.

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