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BVA supports second year of badger culls
badger
Last year's controversial badger culls failed on both humaneness and effectiveness.
Culling is “necessary” to TB eradication, says president

Year two of the badger culls will proceed with support from the BVA, it has been announced. The association says it is satisfied with steps taken to improve this year's culls.

President Robin Hargreaves said badger culling is a “necessary part of a comprehensive bovine TB eradication strategy that also includes strict cattle measures and vaccination.”

Pilot culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire last year failed on both humaneness and effectiveness, according to a report released in April by the Independent Expert Panel (IEP). Culling is due to begin again in both areas this season.

BVA called on Defra to implement the IEP's recommendations for improvement, saying it could only support future culling in the pilot areas if certain conditions were met.

Defra has confirmed a number of changes to its plan, having been in dialogue with the BVA. Shotguns will not be used for controlled shooting and the selection, training and assessment of contractors will be enhanced.

In addition, real-time information will allow for a better distribution of effort, ensuring poor marksmen are removed from the field.

Mr Hargreaves said he is “proud that the veterinary profession has had such an influence on Defra's position.”

In response to calls from the BVA, Defra has also confirmed that an independent auditor will assess the way protocols are carried out during the culls.

While BVA is confident that this addresses many of its concerns, it continues to call on the secretary of state Liz Truss to put in place independent analysis of the culls.

Mr Hargreaves said: “It is essential that Defra gets this right to allow the veterinary profession to have confidence that controlled shooting can be carried out humanely and effectively.”

The BVA says it will assess the outcome of the second year of culling before deciding its position on a rollout of controlled shooting.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.