NZ plans big cull of cows

NEW Zealand plans to slaughter about 150,000 cows as it tries to eradicate a strain of disease-causing bacteria from the national herd.

Politicians and industry leaders announced the ambitious plan yesterday. They say it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and, if successful, would be the first time an infected country has eliminated Mycoplasma bovis.

Last July, Mycoplasma bovis was found in the country for the first time. The disease is not considered a threat to food safety, but does cause production losses on farms.