Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th March 2013
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
£14m facility to aid poultry research
New research centre to boost health and welfare

Work has begun on a £14 million research facility at the University of Edinburgh's Easter Bush campus. Resources at the new National Avian Research Facility (NARF) will be made available to both national and international researchers studying issues affecting avian health, including the spread of infections.

The key aims for the new centre include improving sustainability in poultry production and benefitting human health through reducing food-borne diseases. The facility is in collaboration with the Roslin Institute, and will enhance research in areas such as avian immunology, vaccine development and the role that genes play in disease resistance.

Professor David Hume, Director of The Roslin Institute, said: "This build...reflects the growing portfolio of research that The Roslin Institute is undertaking with the aim of improving the health and welfare of chickens."

The NARF will include sterile areas for poultry with different genetic compositions that are resistant to viruses, bacteria and parasites. The centre will also include conventional avian accommodation and laboratories for research.

Professor Pete Kaiser of The Roslin Institute, who will head up the new facility, said: "Chicken is a production animal of major economic importance around the world with 50 billion birds being bred every year. This facility will provide The Roslin Institute and its partners with an outstanding environment for undertaking the studies that will lead to major improvements in poultry health and welfare."

Construction of the facility is due to be completed in late 2014, and is being funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Roslin Foundation and the University of Edinburgh. 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.