M bovis information needed

‘‘We’ll probably find some more farms soon that have positive animals in their herds, too.’’

McGiven said the meeting was likely to be emotional for farmers with ‘‘a lot of head-scratching’’ . It would be an important opportunity for MPI to provide guidance.

‘‘So in the short term, is eradication still achievable or do we move to a more long-term eradication or managing-type scenario, much like the TB scheme?

‘‘Are we going to cull every herd with an infected cow? That’s going to be hugely expensive, not only financially but emotionally for those farmers that have invested 50 to 60 years of herd breeding.’’

McGiven, who farms at Te Aroha, said that would be the worst many farmers fear.

‘‘Just thinking about my own farm, if we had one or two cows infected, would we have to cull the whole herd? Where does that leave us, because compensation seems to be slow? There are still farms in the South Island waiting for full compensation after six months.

‘‘During that time, farmers still have mortgages to pay, wages to pay.’’

McGiven said he hoped to have the Rural Support Trust, Waikato MP Tim van de Molen, Taupo MP Louise Upston and Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger at the meeting.

‘‘I also want to get in touch with our regional council, our own members, Waipa and MatamataPiako District councillors for the meeting, to help get information out to farmers.’’

McGiven said it is no surprise the disease had been detected in the Waikato and it has put a spotlight on farming practices.

‘‘Up until now, I wouldn’t say we were blissfully unaware, but I guess we were hoping it would not be a problem, but now it obviously is.’’