ABSTRACT
Farm animal disease control programmes, by their nature, impose restrictions and additional work on farmers. These impacts can have significant implications for farmer well-being and animal welfare. Using the experiences from the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme in New Zealand, this chapter discusses the background to the eradication programme, the implementation and progress of the programme and the impacts on farmer well-being and animal welfare. As this is the first time any country has attempted to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis, the programme and all aspects of its implementation have been reviewed at intervals, and the findings applied to improve the programme. Key learning is that a successful eradication programme depends on the cooperation of all involved and this cooperation is dependent on managing all aspects of the impact of the programme, not just financial impacts, but also the impacts on the well-being of the people involved and the welfare of the animals concerned. Given their understanding of animal health and of the science behind eradication programmes, along with their interactions with farmer clients, veterinarians can play a key role in communicating with farmers, and supporting them through what can be life-changing events.
