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More time needed to consider TB testing contracts
cows
One of the biggest concerns raised by practices is the short time frame in which to consider the impact of the new contracts.
Practices have raised a number of questions about the new process

Veterinary practices have not been given enough time to consider the impact that new TB testing contracts will have on their businesses, say veterinary associations.

New bovine TB testing contracts were awarded to five delivery partners in February and, earlier this month, those businesses sent contracts to veterinary practices who may be potential sub-contractors.

The deadline for signing these contracts was 24 April and the start date for the contracts is 1 May. This has left practices with just a few days to make decisions that could have a major impact on their businesses, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA).

Members of the organisations have raised a number of concerns about the contracts but the short time frame has left only a small window for obtaining the answers to their questions.

In a letter to Defra's secretary of state, Liz Truss, BVA and BCVA called for the deadline to be extended to the end of May, with a start date of 1 June. The associations said they are also in touch with the delivery partners and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to obtain answers to their members' questions and address specific concerns.

BVA's president John Blackwell said: "The move to tendering for TB testing and other official veterinarian services has caused a significant amount of anxiety for some of our members.
 
"One of the biggest concerns we are hearing from members is that they have not been given enough time to consider the impact of the new contract on their practice and that they need more time to properly scrutinise the detail and obtain answers to their questions."

BVA opposed the decision to tender for delivery partners to manage and monitor TB testing work. Prior to the new system, testing was done by private vets who were trained, appointed and paid by the APHA.

Mr Blackwell said: "We have consistently warned Defra that the move to tendering must not simply be a cost cutting exercise, because the UK’s network of veterinary practices, which is vital for spotting and dealing with animal disease, is at stake."

It is now essential that the government works alongside the delivery partners and veterinary practices to ensure TB testing can be carried out effectively, he added.

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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.