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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 9th January 2014
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Welsh minister clamps down on late TB tests
Image cows
New penalties for farmers who are late getting their cattle tested

As part of the fight against bovine TB in Wales, minister for natural resources Alun Davies has tightened up on farmers who are late getting their cattle TB tested.

Cattle farmers in Wales are required to get their cattle tested for TB every 12 months, as part of the country's eradication programme.

In addition to this, Mr Davies has introduced penalties of 1 per cent of the common agricultural payments (CAP) for cattle keepers who are between one day and three months late for their test.

According to an announcement by the Welsh government, this penalty is in addition to those for farmers who are found to be between three and 12 months late for their TB test at cross-compliance inspection. The penalty for this is 3 per cent of their CAP, increasing to 5 per cent of their payment if they are more than 12 months late.

Commenting, Alun Davies said: "We are committed to ridding Wales of bovine TB and an important element of our eradication programme is identifying the disease quickly through regular testing.

"The vast majority of farmers in Wales already comply with annual TB testing and arrange their tests in good time. However, a small minority do not and this undermines our eradication programme and increases the risk of TB.
"That is why I have introduced this additional penalty that applies to all late TB tests from 1 January 2014."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.