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: 11th December 2014
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

Latest figures for bovine TB
cow
A total of 23,876 cattle were compulsorily slaughtered between January and September 2014.
Short-term fall in UK incidence rate

The Animal Health and Plant Agency (AHPA) has released updated figures on the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in Great Britain.

According to figures released yesterday (December 10), there was a fall in new herd incidents and compulsory slaughters between January and September this year. However, Defra says these figures should be considered in the context of long-term trends. Further revisions of the TB incidence rates are possible as more data is gathered.

Key figures
  • There were 3,373 new herd incidents between January and September 2014, compared to 3,491 in the same period last year.
  • A total of 23,876 cattle were compulsorily slaughtered as reactors or direct contacts, compared to 24,616 in 2013.
  • There were 56,904 tests on officially TB free herds, compared to 52,631 last year.
  • Provisional incidence rate for January to September this year was 4.0 per cent. In the same period last year, the figure was 4.4 per cent.

However, Defra has warned against putting too much emphasis on short-term figures. Overall, there has been an upward trend in bTB figures since 1996.

Bovine TB has a serious impact on the food and farming industries. In 2012, the cost of a herd breakdown in high risk parts of England was estimated to be £14,000 for the farmer and £20,000 for the government.

For the full report, visit the AHPA's website: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/incidence-of-tuberculosis-tb-in-cattle-in-great-britain

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

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. 

Click here for more...
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.