Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th September 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Wales rules out ‘England-style badger cull’
A spokesperson for the Welsh Government confirmed that it will not be introducing a large scale cull.

Farmers call for culling programme after recent Defra figures

The Welsh Government has ruled out large scale badger culls, such as those being carried out in England.

Official figures recently suggested that incidence of bovine TB has fallen in Gloucestershire and Somerset. bTB levels are reported to be around half what they were before the four-year pilot badger culls began in the two areas.

Culling has since been rolled out to 11 new areas in England.

In response, the Farmers’ Union of Wales urged the government to reinstate the Intensive Action Area badger cull, which was abolished and replaced with the badger vaccination programme.

However, a spokesperson for the Welsh Government confirmed that it will not be introducing a large scale cull.

The statement said: “The Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs continues to rule out an England style badger cull.
 
“In Wales we have adopted a comprehensive approach towards the eradication of bovine TB which focusses on all sources of infection.  Evidence shows that most causes of bTB in cattle in Wales results from cattle to cattle transmission.
 
“Badgers are only trapped and tested where evidence suggests they are contributing to the persistence of TB in chronic breakdown herds.

"Targeted interventions are being applied to remove test positive badgers, helping stop transmission and clearing up chronically infected herds, which are costly to the taxpayer and industry.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.