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A disinfection point sign on a farm under restricted movement notice due to Mycoplasma Bovis. Photo: RNZ Maja Burry
A study of the psycho-social impact of M.bovis on Southland's rural communities had found the Government's response was bureaucratic, inhumane and traumatising to farmers.
The University of Otago study also found MPI ignored local knowledge, including that of rural vets. Researchers at the University's Rural Health department presented their two year findings in Winton last night, with MPI present.
Gathered farmers were told the intrusive, impractical and inhumane nature of MPI's eradication programme ignored local knowledge, expertise and pragmatism in favour of inefficient bureaucratic processes, which made no sense to farmers.