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Badger culls set to continue
Badger

Liz Truss signals her intention to continue with the controversial badger cull policy

It has been reported by the BBC that Liz Truss, the new environmental secretary, has told the Commons that the controversial badger cull will resume later this year.

In her first Commons appearance since replacing Owen Paterson, Liz Truss said that the Government would continue to use "every tool in our toolbox" to tackle bovine TB.

Pilot culls in 2013 were assessed by an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) as inhumane and ineffective. BBC News say that, when pushed in the commons to guarantee that the IEP would assess future culls, Ms Truss said that Natural England would do so

Liz Truss was challenged by Maria Eagle, shadow environment secretary, to guarantee the IEP's inclusion.  Ms Truss replied: "The reality is that bovine TB represents a massive threat to our dairy and beef industries and we need to look at the best scientific evidence.

"We are asking Natural England to assess the way that the culls are going and to look at what we can do in the future."

Disappointed by the reply, Maria Eagle said:  "I'm afraid you've just flunked your first test and missed a golden opportunity to put scientific evidence back where it ought to be in Defra, at the very centre of the decision-making." 

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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.