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£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. 

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RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA publishes Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice

The BSAVA has added a small animal nutrition advice booklet to its series of BSAVA guides.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice offers a resource for veterinary professionals to provide appropriate nutrition for animals. As well as maintaining the wellbeing of healthy pets, the guide explores how nutritional requirements change in times of illness and disease.

The guide is divided into five sections, which explore the importance of nutritional assessment; diet types; feeding at different life stages; feeding for specific situations; and feeding for specific diseases. Online resources are also in the BSAVA Library including client handouts and videos.

It is designed to be suitable for referencing, in-depth case planning and team training sessions.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice can be purchased online from the BSAVA store.