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New bTB policy document
The BCVA will continue to maintain its close relationship with Defra

BCVA announces revised position

In a statement the British Cattle Veterinary Association has announced: ‘The BCVA remains supportive of the overarching goals of the 25-year bTB control strategy launched by Minister George Eustice MP in 2014.

'We see opportunities to utilise an increase in available science, as well as a perceived invigoration – in both vets and farmers – to take control of their destiny with bTB in order to maintain and improve the gains already being made.

‘The BCVA will continue to maintain our close relationship with Defra, to minimise the political interference with disease control. Instead, we advocate an approach of farm level control, delivered by trusted practitioners, supported by government, which enables all available tools to be at the disposal of this vet-led team.

‘With this open and inclusive approach, we believe that the achievement of the status of freedom from bTB by 2038 is an ultimate achievable goal.’

‘In any policy as complex and nuanced as Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) it will necessarily extend beyond the scope of a short comment. This commentary should therefore be taken alongside the document developed by the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) TB group and to be released shortly.’

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Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.