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Persistent bTB herds to benefit from new approach
Image cows
The new approach aims to boost support for farmers working toward OTF status.
AHVLA to provide enhanced management to support farmers

The AHVLA has announced that herds suffering long-term bovine TB (bTB) breakdowns in England and Wales will now be considered for a more tailored and hands-on management approach.

As of February 3, enhanced case management procedures became available for herd owners seeing breakdowns lasting longer than 18 months.

The move is aimed at helping farmers to regain their officially TB-free (OTF) status as quickly as possible, whilst lowering the risk of future breakdowns. This follows feedback from stakeholders that a more proactive approach was needed.

Each case will be assigned AHVLA veterinary officers, who will consider a number of factors when determining a suitable management approach.

Herds may be selected for enhanced case management based on several issues, including the length of breakdown, number of reactors and compensation costs, results of post mortem examinations and herd size and dynamics, including movement volumes.

According to the AHVLA, official veterinarians will be consulted for local knowledge and herd health problems that may be of importance. In addition, they will be invited to an on-farm meeting, for which they will receive payment.

The agency says the changes aim to boost support for farmers working toward OTF status, to identify and deal with the cause of persistent infection and to gain knowledge to improve the management of future breakdowns.

The new management approach will be assessed using farmer questionnaires, internal case review, pairing herds for epidemiological comparison and quantitative measures (particularly to determine cost savings).

For further information, view the AHVLA website.

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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.