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Liz Truss remains as Defra secretary
Liz Truss
Elizabeth Truss has been re-appointed to Defra as environment secretary.

Joined by George Eustice and Rory Stewart

Elizabeth Truss has returned to Defra after being re-appointed as secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.

Elizabeth will be leading work to promote the UK's food and farming sector, improve the environment and champion the environment.

Commenting on her re-appointment, Elizabeth said:  "It is a privilege to serve in this Government and I am delighted to be returning as environment secretary.

"Growing the rural economy, delivering for our food and farming sector, helping our rural communities continue to thrive and ensuring the protection of our natural environment will be my priorities and I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible."

Joining Elizabeth will be George Eustice MP, who has been re-appointed as minister of state.

Mr Eustice was elected as the Conservative MP for Camborne and Redruth in 2010.

Coming from a farming background, his family run a fruit farm restaurant and farm shop in Cornwall.

They also have a herd of South Devon cattle and the country’s oldest herd of the rare breed of pig, the British Lop.

His family have shown a keen interest in educating children about farming and have opened their farm to 3000 schoolchildren a year.

They will be joined by Rory Stewart MP, who has become the Parliamentary undersecretary of state at Defra.

Rory was elected the Conservative MP for Penrith and The Border in May 2010.

Image (C) Defra

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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.