''Meanwhile, MPI is culling cows with a Gestapo-type attitude,'' Mr Law said. Mr Law believes M. bovis was not contagious but arose from irrigating anaerobic effluent on to pasture. ''In other areas of the world where M. bovis is more prevalent, farmers follow similar systems. In Germany, they no longer irrigate anaerobic effluent to pasture after hundreds of cows infected with M. bovis had to be slaughtered. M. bovis is enjoying a particular set of conditions which is allowing it to flourish.''

Source: Otago Daily Times December 20, 2017 06:22 UTC