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Retired vet to cycle 8,000km for charity
Graham Duncanson and Emma Milne
Graham cycled via London, before going on to the English south coast with TV vet Emma Milne.
Septuagenarian hopes to complete his journey in two years

Graham Duncanson is celebrating 50 years in the veterinary profession by cycling more than 8,000km for charity. The retired vet, aged 72, will travel from the UK to South Africa to raise money for the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF).

Since setting off from his home in Crostwick on 4 June, Graham has embarked upon a route that will take him through Western Europe into Greece. He will then fly to Ethiopia and cycle through Kenya, before following the Indian Ocean down the African continent's east coast to Cape Town. He hopes to complete his journey in two years.

It may sound extreme, but Graham says he is "no stranger to life of the road".

"My first job on qualifying was as a field vet in Kenya which I did for eight years. This will be a real adventure though as I'm not an accomplished cyclist, however, I look forward to the challenge and to raising money for AWF."

While on his travels, Graham plans to work with equine charitable organisations including the Brooke, SPANA and World Horse Welfare, giving talks on equine welfare and dentistry. He also hopes to travel through Egypt to give lectures, but this will depend on government travel advice at the time.

So far, Graham has cycled via London to attend the annual AWF discussion forum in Westminster, before going on to the English south coast with TV vet Emma Milne.

To sponsor Graham or for regular updates on his trip, visit: https://vetduncdares.wordpress.com/

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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.