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New cattle health scheme launches
The CHeCS scheme complements the government’s 25-year plan to eradicate Bovine TB in England.


Scheme recognises farmers who set up biosecurity control measures

A new cattle health scheme to help farmers across England and Wales avoid the effects of bovine TB has launched in Bristol.


The CHeCS bTB Herd Accreditation is a voluntary scheme that evaluates risk and recognises farmers who set up biosecurity control measures.


Run by the Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHeCS), the scheme aims to improve a herd’s ‘score’ every year it is free from a bTB breakdown, awarding a status of 0-10.


It requires the herd vet and cattle owner to work together on following a host of biosecurity measures already implemented in other cattle disease control programmes.


Besides reducing infection risk, the CHeCS says the programme could benefit farmers selling cattle from regions with a high risk of TB, or those who wish to minimise exposure from bought-in animals.


It may also give recognition for a farmer’s efforts to complement government and industry strategies to control infection, they add.


Welcoming the scheme, farming minister George Eustice said: “We know some 40 per cent of herds in the high-risk area in England have never had a breakdown, and the CHeCS scheme will help them to communicate this so they can carry out risk-based trading to support their business.

“The scheme will also recognise those practising good biosecurity, which is a core part of our long-term plan to tackle bovine TB.”

Cabinet secretary, Lesley Griffith continued: “This industry-led initiative aimed at reducing TB is to be welcomed and fits in without principles of working in partnership and promoting the benefits of disease prevention.

“I urge Welsh farmers to engage with the scheme and reduce the risk of disease being introduced into their herd.”

The CHeCS scheme complements the government’s 25-year plan to eradicate Bovine TB in England.


Farmers wishing to take part are advised to discuss joining with their vet before contacting one of the participating CHeCS-accredited health schemes listed at www.checs.co.uk.

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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.