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Farmers to receive bespoke TB advice
Cows in field
Farmers will have the option of receiving a farm visit from a vet.
Service forms part of a comprehensive strategy to beat TB in England

Cattle farmers within licensed badger cull areas will be offered bespoke veterinary advice on how to reduce the risk of bovine TB on their farms, Defra has announced.

Over the next two years, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) will offer the service to all farmers within the cull areas as part of a comprehensive strategy to beat the disease in England.

Defra say that the service will help farmers to strengthen their TB prevention measures to the highest practical levels, complementing other measures in place within Somerset and Gloucestershire, such as the badger cull license, annual TB testing, and the existing cattle movement controls.

Farming minister George Eustice said: "This new service is part of our comprehensive strategy to beat bovine TB and will provide farmers with expert advice on how they can reduce the risk of the disease affecting their farm."

A summary of the local levels of TB this month will be sent to cattle keepers within the cull areas, with a description of known causes and risk factors.

APHA will provide farmers with customised reports for each of their holdings, showing the number of incidents of TB recorded over the last five years, the cattle movement history and other risk-related information.

Farmers will also have the option of receiving a farm visit from a vet, who will discuss the report and provide bespoke advice and guidance on preventing TB.


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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. 

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.