Wellington: New Zealand is all set to slaughter about 150,000 cows as it tries to eradicate a strain of disease-causing bacteria from cows.



On the national herd of New Zealand, the Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern said “Standing back and allowing the disease to spread would simply create more anxiety for all farmers,"

The strain of bacteria can cause mastitis, pneumonia, arthritis and other diseases.

The move comes after the discovery last July of a case of Mycoplasma bovis and it is said Officials will be allowed to enter farms and slaughter cows, even if farmers object.

Authorities are now investigating how this bacteria arrived in New Zealand despite its strict biosecurity controls.