The psychosocial impact of Mycoplasma bovis on southern New Zealand farmers: The human cost of managing an exotic animal disease incursion

Abstract

Following the 2017 Mycoplasma bovis outbreak the New Zealand government decided to eliminate the disease from the national herd, something never attempted elsewhere. The present qualitative study aimed to explore the psychosocial impact on New Zealand farmers of the incursion and its management following this decision. Eighteen farmers and farming couples in southern New Zealand were interviewed about their challenging and sometimes harrowing experiences, including the lockdown of farms and subsequent loss of autonomy, stock culls, protracted cleaning of properties and negotiation for compensation. Farmers described their separation from typical farming practices as they transitioned into an incursion management process overseen by an ill-prepared government agency. Untimely and poor communication; lack of clarity about animal testing regimes; indecision regarding stock management; authoritarian and at times brutal decision-making concerning herd culls; and the ignoring of practical solutions to on-farm problems left farmers bewildered, angry and traumatised. Farmers spoke of their frustration at losing control of their properties and businesses, elements central to their identity. In emerging from the incursion, having replaced culled stock and resumed business, participants reflected on their changed farming practices, including greater attentiveness to biosecurity issues. They also reflected that relationships within rural communities, and between farmers generally and the state had transformed. Similar disease incursion experiences have been reported elsewhere and M. bovis is unlikely to be the last such event New Zealand experiences. Therefore, we conclude that paying close attention to the lessons learned from this event, including those related to process, communication, and valuing of famer knowledge and experience, will provide benefits to the sector generally, avoid injuriously impacting farmer wellness, and improve acceptance of future management strategies.