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New workshops to help farmers in bTB battle
cow
"England has the highest incidence of bovine TB in Europe and it is vital we pursue our comprehensive strategy to beat the disease to protect the livelihoods of our beef and dairy farmers."
On-farm biosecurity sessions to kick off this month

A series of free, on-farm bovine TB workshops is set to begin this month, Defra has announced.

The sessions will include classroom teaching on the bTB situation in England, control measures, transmission routes and epidemiology. Badger ecology, risk-based training and how to reduce the risk of cattle-to-cattle and badger-to-cattle transmission will also be included.

Following this, participants will be able to apply the knowledge they have gained during an interactive farm walk visiting work stations.

The government's chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens said: "Biosecurity is a key part of the government’s 25-year plan to eradicate bovine TB in England and I would encourage farmers who can to sign up for one of these events, which are a great opportunity to hear about measures farmers can take to improve their on-farm biosecurity and build the resilience of their businesses.
 
"England has the highest incidence of bovine TB in Europe and it is vital we pursue our comprehensive strategy to beat the disease to protect the livelihoods of our beef and dairy farmers.
 
"Farmers can also access practical guidance to help protect their herds from bovine TB on the TB Hub, which brings together advice on biosecurity from government, farming experts and leading vets in one place."

The first workshop takes place in Shropshire next week (15 November) at Harper Adams University. A further 15 UK events will follow in the coming months.

For further information visit: http://www.farmskills.co.uk/tb-biosecurity-workshops/

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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.