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Culls to begin again in Northern Ireland
badger
Badgers in a pilot area will be trapped and tested. Those that test positive for bovine TB will be culled.
Second year of test, vaccinate or remove project

Badger culling is set to begin again in Northern Ireland as part of its test, vaccinate or remove (TVR) research project.

In year one, badgers were cage trapped, tested for bovine TB and released. This year, they will be re-trapped and tested in a focused pilot area. Those testing positive for TB will be culled using a lethal injection of barbiturate.

Data will be gathered on the reliability of the tests (sensitivity and specificity) to help inform future policy.

Simon Doherty, president of the BVA's NI branch, said: "We recognise that there are limitations in the diagnostic tests that are currently available for badgers and cattle and hope that the study will provide some quantification and validation for the deployment of these tests."

John Blackwell, BVA President, added: “There is no question that bovine TB is spread between badgers and cattle, but we still need to understand more about this complex disease in order to move towards eradication across the whole of the UK.
 
“BVA supports the use of targeted, humane badger culling and has called for it to be part of the comprehensive strategies in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, alongside strong cattle and biosecurity measures.

"All parts of the UK are taking a different approach to tackling bovine TB and we look forward to seeing the results of the TVR project as it progresses to help inform policies in other regions, as well as in Northern Ireland."
 

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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.