13 May 2026
Kia ora,
This letter concerns you as an owner of bovine semen straws currently held in storage and is being provided to you via your storage company It is to advise you that some of these straws may need to be tested to ensure they do not pose a risk for Mycoplasma bovis ( M. bovis).
This is a continuation of a project that began in 2024 to test batches of bovine semen imported into New Zealand before 1 January 1990, as well as batches imported between 1 January 1990 and 1 May 2022 that had not been treated with antibiotics in compliance with the “CSS” antibiotic protocol. 1 The project involved genetic testing (using a technique called PCR) of two paired straws per batch for the presence of M. bovis DNA.
In early 2025 new research was published regarding the effectiveness of the CSS antibiotic protocol. This indicated the treatment was not effective at destroying M. bovis and only inactivated the bacteria. MPI then consulted on and issued a new Import Health Standard which removed the antibiotic treatment option for the management of M. bovis in imported bovine semen. The new Import Health Standard was published in July 2025 and required all bovine semen imported into New Zealand to be PCR tested from 1 October 2025.
To make sure that any remaining risk of bull semen containing M. bovis was eliminated, MPI and DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand leaders decided MPI should undertake PCR testing of any bovine semen batches which:
• were imported into New Zealand before 1 October 2025,
• and were treated with the CSS protocol,
• but have not been PCR tested previously.
Under this testing process, two straws from any batches within scope of the project will be required to be submitted for testing. The person or company who is in control of your batches will provide any of your straws that need to be tested on your behalf T hese straws will be tested by a validated PCR test for the presence of M. bovis DNA. This is the same test approved for use on pre- import batches since May 2022.
1 The Certified Semen Services Minimum Requirements for Disease Control of Semen Produced for Artificial Insemination (CSS) protocol.
In limited circumstances, MPI may, at its discretion, consider an application for an exemption from testing for specific semen batches. To be considered, the owner must submit a completed application for a niche exemption, supported by relevant information. If you wish to request an exemption from testing, please contact MPI via GermplasmImporters@mpi.govt.nz.
We would like to begin the testing process as soon as possible. Testing a batch will destroy it and you will be entitled to fair compensation for this. In order to trigger a compensation entitlement, we will issue a Notice of Direction under section 121 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 to the person or company who is in control of your bovine semen batches to direct the testing Information on the process for claiming compensation is outlined in the attached factsheet If you have any questions about compensation, please email MPI’s compensation team at CompensationCoordinator@mpi.govt.nz
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. T his action is being taken because it is necessary to protect the significant investment and progress made towards the eradication of M. bovis This letter is being forwarded to you on behalf of MPI by the person or company in control of your bovine semen batches. This approach has been taken to protect your privacy. If you wish to contact MPI directly, with questions or feedback, you are welcome to do so via GermplasmImporters@mpi.govt.nz.
Thank you for your understanding and support in this matter.
Yours sincerely
John Walsh Director Pest Management
Ministry for Primary Industries
Charles Fergusson Building 38-42 Bowen Street PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
biosecurity.govt.nz