Recent changes to the TSE Surveillance Program
Effective 1 July 2011, incentive payments to veterinarians and animal owners have increased for submission of cattle brains for BSE screening. The new prices can be found at TSE incentive payments.
Lymphoid tissue evaluation 2010 - This has now closed. No further samples will be accepted for this project.
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) monitors New Zealand’s farm stock (sheep, cattle and goats) for transmissable spongiform encephalopathies (TSE’s) through surveillance programmes. The programmes are a critical part of providing assurances to our international trading partners that New Zealand is free from BSE, scrapie and CWD, and exports safe animal products.
Historically the surveillance programme for the sheep TSE scrapie has relied on vets submitting for testing, the brains of sheep and goats older than two years that had shown signs of neurological disease. In March 2010 MAFBNZ extended this programme on a trial basis (through to June 2010) to include samples from sheep or goats over two years found recently (under twelve hours) dead on farms. This has now been extended to 30 October 2010 and also included animals in rapidly deteriorating condition where disease is suspected. This new component of the programme aims to evaluate the technical and logistical feasibility of using lymphoid tissues for scrapie surveillance.
Full information for farmers on providing samples as part of this trial. 
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Both farmers and vets are provided with an incentive payment for submitting samples for testing.
Submissions must be made using the standard TSE submission form.
TSE surveillance submission forms (108 KB)
Changes to the TSE surveillance programme made in 2007 & 2008
Important changes to the TSE Surveillance Programme
In May 2007 New Zealand was advised that its BSE status was revised to negligible risk. New Zealand has moved to type B surveillance as specified by the OIE. This has meant a significant reduction in the number of points that we need to maintain this status.
The participation of New Zealand veterinarians and farmers in the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) surveillance incentive programme was and continues to be, a vital component in achieving and maintaining this status.
The TSE surveillance incentive programme is constantly under review to assess its appropriateness and sustainability in continuing to demonstrate New Zealand’s freedom from TSE’s.
MAFBNZ is now required to operate a GST compliant system. To receive payment for the submission of samples, veterinary practitioners must submit a GST invoice, itemising each laboratory case number and providing the direct credit details for payment, along with the following:
- A copy of the completed and signed TSE submission form
- A copy of the laboratory histology report
The following changes applied from the 1st November 2008
Changes to the incentive payments are described in TSE incentive payments.
Formerly submissions required a copy of the required a copy of the laboratory submission form. This is no longer required and all details should be recorded on the TSE submission form, which can also be used as a laboratory submission form.
A maximum of two (2) samples per farm per year may be submitted through the TSE surveillance incentive programme. Where a practitioner has concerns about an individual case, but the sampling threshold has been met for the year, the practitioner should contact IDC on 0800 80 99 66. For farms where more than five (5) samples have been submitted during the last twelve (12) months, that farm is ineligible for further samples for two (2) years from the date of the last submission.
Provision of incomplete information on the TSE form will result in delayed or non payment of invoices.
Farmers must check, correct, sign and return the proforma invoice sent to them by MAF to receive payment.
TSE surveillance submission forms (108 KB)
If you have any questions or require any further information please contact Lachlan McIntyre, 04 8940846.
Page last updated: 11 August 2011