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NI to introduce compulsory BVD testing
calf
It will become compulsory for newborn calves (including stillbirths and abortions) to be tested for BVD.
Vets welcome new legislation to tackle disease

Testing for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus is set to become compulsory in Northern Ireland from 1 March 2016.

The legislation will make it compulsory for new-born calves (including stillbirths and abortions) to be tested for BVD.

Announcing the news, the Irish minister for agriculture and rural development, Michelle O'Neill, said: "We have good reason to believe that through the application of this legislation, we will be taking an important step towards eradicating BVD from the herd in the north.

"That would certainly be a considerable achievement and will bring BVD compulsory testing here in line with the rest of Ireland."

Irish officials will bring forward the draft legislation on 8 December, for the consideration of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development. This will allow time for making any necessary operational arrangements before the law is rolled out.

It will also give herd keepers time to use up their stock of standard cattle identification tags, before purchasing the new BVD tissue sample enabled tags.

The minister said the extra cost to the herd keeper will be low but the overall industry contribution will more than £5 million over a three-year period. However, the estimated financial gains made by herd keepers in eradicating BVD are expected to outweigh the additional costs by 10 to one.

"I view this as the beginning of a new era in partnership-working between my Department and industry. For the first time Animal Health and Welfare NI (AHWNI) will lead in the implementation of the legislation relating to a production disease," Ms O'Neill added.

The news has also been welcomed by the BVA and BVA Northern Ireland. President Sean Wensley commented: "Vets and farmers have been well engaged with the process so far and keen to see it progress; the announcement for a compulsory BVD testing scheme was made more than two years ago so we are very pleased to hear this next step in its continued progress towards legislation."

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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.