The number of cattle and deer herds infected with bovine tuberculosis is at a record low.
The Animal Health Board, which tests and monitors TB nationally, says there is now a total of 91 cattle herds and seven deer herds infected with TB.
That is 31 fewer herds, or 25% less, than a year ago.
Technical manager Paul Livingstone says this is the first time the number of infected herds has fallen below 100.
He says it is a big step towards herds in New Zealand becoming TB-free and shows how successfully possum and other pest control operations are working.
To keep the number of TB-infected herds low, Dr Livingstone says farmers must also continue to control stock movements.
