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Pig sector to explore zinc oxide options post-Brexit
Zinc-oxide is used to prevent, control and treat diarrhoea in young pigs.
Industry stakeholders meet with VMD to discuss the ban

The UK’s National Pig Association (NPA) has said that it will continue to explore options for using products containing zinc oxide when Britain leaves the European Union.

The NPA and other industry stakeholders met with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) last week to discuss the EU zinc oxide ban. The meeting included the Pig Veterinary Society, the Agricultural Industries Confederation and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

NPA’s senior policy advisor Georgina Crayford said: “We had a useful meeting with the VMD to discuss implementation of the withdrawal of licenses for high-level zinc oxide in the UK.

“There was some discussion around the potential to obtain a local (UK) license for the products once we have fully left the EU, although the uncertainty around Brexit means VMD could not provide any clear answers at this stage. A lot depends, for example, on the transition period and whether 2019 or 2021 is considered the date we leave.”

“My understanding is that although the VMD wouldn’t automatically reverse the Commission's decision – it might be open to exploring options for authorising products in the UK. NPA will continue to explore this and support efforts to gather the necessary environmental data.”

Zinc-oxide is used to prevent, control and treat diarrhoea in young pigs. According to the NPA, an estimated 70 to 90 per cent of starter diets in the UK contain zinc oxide at therapeutic levels.

Reiterating the challenges facing the pig industry when it comes to removing medicinal zinc oxide, Georgina said:

“The issues that we raised when we originally opposed the ban have not changed – for example, the lack of viable alternatives, the disease challenges facing the UK pig herd and the age of our buildings due to a lack of industry investment. All of this will be compounded by the need the industry to reduce our antibiotic usage at the same time as phasing out zinc oxide.

“The Commission rarely gives any flexibility in these types of decision, so we are relieved that we managed to secure a five-year phase-out period, every minute of which will be needed to give the industry time to adapt.” 

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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.