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Culls to begin again in Northern Ireland
badger
Badgers in a pilot area will be trapped and tested. Those that test positive for bovine TB will be culled.
Second year of test, vaccinate or remove project

Badger culling is set to begin again in Northern Ireland as part of its test, vaccinate or remove (TVR) research project.

In year one, badgers were cage trapped, tested for bovine TB and released. This year, they will be re-trapped and tested in a focused pilot area. Those testing positive for TB will be culled using a lethal injection of barbiturate.

Data will be gathered on the reliability of the tests (sensitivity and specificity) to help inform future policy.

Simon Doherty, president of the BVA's NI branch, said: "We recognise that there are limitations in the diagnostic tests that are currently available for badgers and cattle and hope that the study will provide some quantification and validation for the deployment of these tests."

John Blackwell, BVA President, added: “There is no question that bovine TB is spread between badgers and cattle, but we still need to understand more about this complex disease in order to move towards eradication across the whole of the UK.
 
“BVA supports the use of targeted, humane badger culling and has called for it to be part of the comprehensive strategies in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, alongside strong cattle and biosecurity measures.

"All parts of the UK are taking a different approach to tackling bovine TB and we look forward to seeing the results of the TVR project as it progresses to help inform policies in other regions, as well as in Northern Ireland."
 

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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
King Charles becomes patron of The Kennel Club

The Kennel Club has announced that King Charles has become its latest patron, continuing a long-standing royal tradition.

His patronage follows the support of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was patron from 1952, the year of her coronation, until her death in 2022.

The Kennel Club has received royal support since it began in 1873, when it received support from Prince Edward, then Prince of Wales. When he ascended to the throne in 1901, King Edward began a tradition of the head of state offering their patronage.

Tony Allcock, Kennel Club Chairman, said: "We are delighted and most honoured that His Majesty the King will continue the tradition of royal support for The Kennel Club and help us in our mission in making a positive difference for dogs and their owners."