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BVA welcomes funding to eradicate sheep scab in Wales
Sheep scab has been identified as a disease priority by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group.
£5million to be made available through Rural Development Programme

The BVA has welcomed an announcement by the Welsh Government that £5 million of Rural Development Programme funding will be used to eradicate sheep scab in Wales.

BVA Welsh Branch President Sarah Carr said: “We welcome this positive step towards eradicating sheep scab in Wales. Vets see first-hand the very significant impact sheep scab has on livestock health and welfare and we are delighted to see Welsh Government supporting vets and industry to eradicate this highly contagious disease.

“Today's announcement is another example of Welsh Government leading the way in demonstrating that industry and government can work together for the benefit of animal welfare.”

One of the most contagious diseases of sheep in Wales, sheep scab has been identified as a disease priority by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group.

The funding was announced on Monday (7 January) by Welsh environment secretary Lesley Griffiths and follows an industry proposal to eradicate sheep scab in Wales.

“Eradicating the disease has the potential to deliver significant lasting economic benefits for the sector at a particularly challenging time as we prepare to leave the European Union,” she said.

More details about the project are expected in the coming months. 

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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.