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Wales rules out ‘England-style badger cull’
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government confirmed that it will not be introducing a large scale cull.

Farmers call for culling programme after recent Defra figures

The Welsh Government has ruled out large scale badger culls, such as those being carried out in England.

Official figures recently suggested that incidence of bovine TB has fallen in Gloucestershire and Somerset. bTB levels are reported to be around half what they were before the four-year pilot badger culls began in the two areas.

Culling has since been rolled out to 11 new areas in England.

In response, the Farmers’ Union of Wales urged the government to reinstate the Intensive Action Area badger cull, which was abolished and replaced with the badger vaccination programme.

However, a spokesperson for the Welsh Government confirmed that it will not be introducing a large scale cull.

The statement said: “The Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs continues to rule out an England style badger cull.
 
“In Wales we have adopted a comprehensive approach towards the eradication of bovine TB which focusses on all sources of infection.  Evidence shows that most causes of bTB in cattle in Wales results from cattle to cattle transmission.
 
“Badgers are only trapped and tested where evidence suggests they are contributing to the persistence of TB in chronic breakdown herds.

"Targeted interventions are being applied to remove test positive badgers, helping stop transmission and clearing up chronically infected herds, which are costly to the taxpayer and industry.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.