Cows are seen near the fence of a pastoral farm near Auckland in this August 6, 2013 photo. (FILE) | Photo Credit: REUTERSmore-inNew Zealand, the world’s biggest dairy exporter, will spend more than NZ$880 million ($610 million) in a bid to eradicate the mycoplasma bovis cattle disease, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday. About 1,26,000 cows are expected to be culled, mainly over the next two years, as government and industry work to depopulate all infected farms, the government said in a statement. The initial outbreak led to concerns that the disease could affect market access for New Zealand’s dairy products. The government would contribute about NZ$591 million to the eradication programme, while the rest would be borne by industry bodies and farmers, she said.

Source: The Hindu May 28, 2018 15:56 UTC