The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has released its latest report into the response to the outbreak of the cattle disease Mycoplasma Bovis, saying more than 91,000 cows have now been culled.
As of this morning, there are still 122 properties under Notice of Direction, which restricts the movement of cows to and from those properties. 515 properties have now been released from Notice of Direction since the response began last year.
A total of 91,112 animals have been culled and 311,139 tests for M. bovis have been carried out.
In terms of compensation paid, MPI says claims of $70 million have been made, with $56.5 million of that already paid out.
On average, it is taking about 24 days for a claim to be completed.
The ministry says they hope to complete the eradication of M. bovis from New Zealand by the end of this year.
Mycoplasma bovis is a bacteria which mainly affects cattle and can cause painful inflammation to several parts of their bodies, as well as pneumonia, late-term abortion and other conditions.
It is common, worldwide, and before the 2017 outbreak in Oamaru, only New Zealand and Norway were free of the disease.
A full-scale elimination effort was announced in May of last year.
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