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Secretary of state pledges commitment to vets
cattle vet
Last year, the APHA (formerly AHVLA) closed seven of its 14 veterinary surveillance centres.
BVA urges government to maintain surveillance systems

Liz Truss, secretary of state, has pledged to protect the number of frontline vets in the UK. While the BVA has welcomed this commitment, it is urging the government to maintain veterinary surveillance and animal health and welfare services.

In her speech to the Oxford Farming Conference, Ms Truss said: "Protecting our country from animal and plant disease is a top priority for me.

"Although Defra has had to implement savings, as have many areas of government, due to the terrible financial situation we have found the country in, I have been very clear that the number of frontline vets must be protected...

"I am determined we maintain our world-class disease science capability at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)."

Last year, the APHA (formerly AHVLA) closed seven of its 14 veterinary surveillance centres in Newcastle, Luddington, Langford, Preston, Sutton Bonington, Aberystwyth and Truro.

BVA's president John Blackwell welcomed Ms Truss' speech, but added: "We do, however, urge that this commitment is backed by adequate resource to ensure that vets critical work in animal disease prevention, detection and monitoring is in no way undermined and that surveillance systems remain fit-for-purpose following laboratory closures in 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.