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Defra responds to cub culling claims
badger
Culling is legally allowed under license from June 1.

Guardian claims 2015 badger culls will take place earlier when cubs are numerous

A story in the Guardian this week has claimed next year's badger cull will take place in early summer when cubs are more numerous, in order to make it easier to reach targets.

According to the Guardian, an unnamed source has revealed culling in Gloucestershire and Somerset will begin in June or July 2015. Culling under license is legally allowed from June 1, although the culls in 2013 and 2014 began in August and September respectively.

Defra says the cull period is based on advice from wildlife experts to reduce the risk of removing badgers with cubs. Two licensed companies decide on the timing for the start of the culls.

Responding to the Guardian's claims, a Defra spokesperson said: "England has the highest levels of bovine TB in Europe which is why we are pursuing a comprehensive strategy to make England free of the disease, including cattle measures, vaccinations and culling badgers where TB is rife.

"The licences in Somerset and Gloucestershire allow culling to commence any time from 1 June, which was based on the advice of wildlife experts. The timing of the start of culls is a decision for the two licensed companies."

Also this week, the BVA warned Defra not to take its support for the culls for granted. Last year's pilots were found to be inhumane and ineffective by an independent expert panel. The BVA said it is "disappointed" that this year's culls were not independently monitored despite repeated calls to implement this.

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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.