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Treasury's chief mouser enlisted as a tour guide
Gladstone
Sporting his trademark red polka dot bow tie, Gladstone was fitted with a camera to give the public a unique view of the Treasury.

Gladstone gives a 'cat's eye view' of the department
 
Treasury cat Gladstone has taken on the job of 'tour guide' this week, in addition to his usual mousing duties.

Sporting his trademark red polka dot bow tie, Gladstone was fitted with a camera to give the public a unique view of the Westminster building, ahead of this weekend's Open House London event (15-16 September).

The parliamentary feline can be seen strutting down the department's corridors and peeking into offices, while having doors held open for him.

Gladstone arrived at the Treasury in July from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. A former stray, he was named after the former Prime Minister and chancellor William Ewart Gladstone.

An unknown Treasury source recently revealed that Gladstone has devoured six mice during his time in office. His neighbour Larry, chief mouser for Number 10 Downing Street, has a less impressive mousing record and reportedly took six months to make his first kill.

Scuffles between Larry and the Foreign Office cat Palmerston have been rife in recent months. Parliamentarians hope that Gladstone will play peacemaker.

Image © HM Treasury

 

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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.