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Targeted badger cull to take place in Wales
The Welsh government continues to rule out a large scale badger cull, such as that being carried out in England.
Government will identify TB risk areas
 
Plans to introduce a targeted badger cull in Wales will go ahead, the government has confirmed as it published a new TB eradication programme.

From 1 October, areas of Wales will be identified as Low, Intermediate and High TB areas, based on bovine TB incidence. The aim is to protect the Low TB areas and reduce the disease in Intermediate and High areas.

Chronic breakdown herds will be given individual action plans and disease control measures that are specifically designed to clear infection in cattle.

In these herds, where there is evidence of infection in the badger population, the government says will consider ‘a range of options’ to reduce the risk of disease spreading, including cage trapping, testing and, were necessary, humanely killing infected badgers. The Welsh government continues to rule out a large scale badger cull, such as that being carried out in England.

Enhanced controls will be applied in all areas, including post-movement testing in the Low TB areas, beginning on 1 October this year. This measure will also be introduced in the Intermediate TB areas next year to prevent the disease spreading from neighbouring High TB areas.

Speaking at the Senedd, Welsh cabinet secretary Lesley Griffiths said “real progress” had been made in eradicating TB in Wales. The number of new incidents has fallen by over 40 per cent since their peak in 2009 and 95 per cent of herds are now TB free.

The strengthened TB eradication programme has been introduced following a consultation launched at the end of last year.

Ms Griffiths added: “I have listened to the industries responses to our consultation and have fed what was appropriate and reasonable into the Programme.This should not be seen as exclusively a Government plan; it has been developed through consultation with industry, and will be reviewed over time.

“I now call on the farming industry and veterinary profession to play a full part. Together we can achieve our goal of a TB free Wales.”

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.