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Badger cull could extend to 10 new zones
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust runs the UK’s largest badger vaccination programme.

Natural England is reviewing badger cull applications for 2019

Members of the public are being urged to write to their MP following reports that the badger cull could be extended to 10 new zones this autumn.

The call from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust follows reports that Natural England is reviewing the badger cull applications for 2019. In a statement on its website, the Trust said that Derbyshire is one of 14 zones currently under consideration by MPs.


Derbyshire Wildlife Trust runs the UK’s largest badger vaccination programme. Over the last six years, more than 100 volunteers have been working to stop the spread of bovine TB and prevent a cull in the county.

Tim Birch, head of living landscapes at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “Despite the Trust’s successful vaccination programme, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have listed the county for the cull expansion this year.”

“That means the badger cull could come here as soon as early September. We’re deeply concerned that this could result in the deaths of thousands of healthy badgers including ones that have been vaccinated – it would cause significant disruption to our ongoing badger vaccination programme."


He continued: “Our work is widely supported and has had £280,000 worth of Government funding and studies show no evidence of widespread Bovine TB in Derbyshire’s badgers. Our dedicated team will continue vaccinations despite the potential arrival of a cull to look after this iconic and protected British species.”


A Defra spokesperson said that Natural England is currently reviewing the badger cull applications for 2019 and that a decision will be made public ‘in due course’.

“Bovine TB remains one of the greatest animal health threats to the UK, causing devastation for hard-working farmers and rural communities,” he said.

“There is no single measure that will provide an easy answer to beating the disease. That is why we are pursuing a range of interventions to eradicate the disease by 2038, including tighter cattle movement controls, regular testing and vaccinations.”


Natural England has so far authorised minimum four-year licensed badger control operations for 32 areas of England including Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. If the expansion is approved, it would bring the total number of cull zones to more than 40.

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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. 

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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.