A new study has found the government's response to the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak was poorly executed and inflicted lasting trauma on farmers.
Researchers from Otago University also found about half of farmers whose stock was culled to eradicate the bacterium broke down emotionally when asked to recount the process.
The study concludes farmers and their families were ignored and left isolated by the Ministry of Primary Industries.
Researcher Dr Geoff Noller spoke to Corin Dann.
