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BVA support for badger culls is "fragile"
badger
Mr Blackwell said he is disappointed that this year's culls were not monitored by an independent body.
President urges Defra not to take BVA's support for granted

BVA's president John Blackwell has implied the organisation may withdraw its support for badger culling unless it is shown to be humane, effective and safe.

"We have made it very clear to Defra that our ongoing support should not be taken for granted," said Mr Blackwell in a statement.

Pilot culls began in Gloucestershire and Somerset last year, with the support of the BVA. However, a report by an independent expert panel (IEP) found them to be inhumane and ineffective.

Mr Blackwell added: "We have made it clear that we cannot continue to support the use of controlled shooting to deliver culling unless it can be demonstrated that it can be delivered humanely, effectively and safely."

A number of recommendations were made by the panel, which BVA called on Defra to implement before giving its support to the second year of the culls. However, after repeated calls to the secretary of state, the 2014 culls were not monitored by an independent panel.

"It is no secret that some of our members are frustrated by the lack of independent analysis this year and we are disappointed that it has not been put in place to give confidence to our members and the wider public."

Some members criticised the BVA for its initial support for the culls, however Mr Blackwell said the association bases its positions on evidence, "reflecting the wide range of expertise within our membership".

BVA Council made the decision to continue supporting the culls in their second year, however Mr Blackwell said the association "always recognised that this was a fragile consensus".

When the data has been published by Defra, the BVA will carry out its own assessment to determine whether the second year of culls has been humane and effective.

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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.