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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th December 2016
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Vets welcome Northern Ireland’s bTB strategy
Badger
The strategy includes a badger cull in areas with high levels of the disease.
TB group propose badger cull in high-risk areas

A long-term strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Northern Ireland has been welcomed by the BVA and BVA Northern Ireland branch.

Launched in Belfast by the TB Strategic Partnership Group (TSPG), the strategy includes a badger cull in areas with high levels of the disease.

According to a report by Farming UK, the strategy also recommends changes to testing and requirements for better on-farm biosecurity.

Speaking at the launch, agriculture minister Michelle Mcllveen announced that she will consider the recommendations with a view to consulting on the approach "early in 2017".

Established in 2014, the TBSPG was tasked by the Minister of Agriculture with developing a strategy and implementation action plan to eradicate TB from Northern Ireland.

Welcoming the proposals, Seamus O’Kane, president of the BVA Northern Ireland Branch, said: “We are particularly pleased to see an emphasis on an increased role for vets in practice.

“The strategy underlines timely and appropriate communication to ensure all stakeholders know their own role in the effort to make Northern Ireland bTB free, signalling the importance of closer cooperation between farmers, vets and government.”

He added that the BVA was pleased to see the strategy acknowledge the need to control the wildlife reservoir and that they will look carefully at the detail of any proposed culls.

“Overall, we agree with the integrated approach advocated by the TBSPG’s proposed strategy and believe this is what is needed to achieve the long-term goal of TB eradication in Northern Ireland,” he said.

Gudrun Ravetz, president of the BVA commented: “England, Northern Ireland and Wales are all striving to control a disease that has a significant impact on animal health and welfare and agricultural livelihoods.

“BVA has long advocated a comprehensive strategy that uses every available tool that we have in the toolkit. The publication of TBSPG Strategy today is a significant contribution to this comprehensive approach in the UK and to the eventual eradication of bTB 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.