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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.”

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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.