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Financial boost for equine research programme
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£1.8 million pounds has been awarded to the Horserace Betting Levy Board's veterinary science programme.
Programme includes 14 research projects and three new scholarships

Almost two million pounds has been awarded to the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) veterinary science and education investment programme for 2015.

The HBLB programme includes 14 new research projects and three new scholarships, the latter intended to attract top callibre veterinary surgeons to the equine area.  

Veterinary scientific research investment will be managed by the organisation's Veterinary Advisory Committee (VAC) on behalf of the Racing Foundation, the British European Breeders Fund (BEBF) and the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA).

As well as the funding allocation approved by HBLB of £1.8m, £160,000 has been made available by the Foundation, and £20,000 by the BEBF and TBA.

Chair of the VAC, Professor Celia Marr, said: “For us, good research has to be both scientifically robust and clearly relevant to the racing and breeding Thoroughbred. Our communications strategy this year will concentrate on making research outcomes available to and easily understood by the racing industry, and making promising young researchers aware of the huge range and opportunities in equine science. There is exciting, high quality work going on that is all for the benefit of the Thoroughbred.”

Louise Kemble, Chief Executive of the TBA, commented:  “The TBA is fully involved in the equine science research programme. This year we are looking forward to the final results of a current three-year PhD project at the Royal Veterinary College looking at early pregnancy loss and we will be supporting a small project that will be testing a possible new method of assessing umbilical cord changes in pregnant mares than can cause abortion. In addition, we are continuing, with the ROA and HBLB, to fund the Infectious Disease Service based at the Animal Health Trust.

Philip Freedman, Chairman of the BEBF, added: “The BEBF is committed to assisting in the funding of veterinary research. The study chosen for support in 2015 will be of long term benefit to breeders and those managing the performance of fillies and mares in training, both in Britain and further afield and we welcome the progress such work will produce.“

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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.