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APHA announces temporary exclusion of bovine TB testing in calves
The move follows campaigning by the veterinary profession to allow a greater number of TB herd tests to be completed safely.
Move follows campaigning by the veterinary profession.

The APHA has made a temporary amendment to bovine TB testing (TB) in England and Wales that will allow herd tests to continue safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The amendment allows calves under 180 days old to be excluded from certain routine and targeted surveillance TB tests in OTF herds if, in the vet's opinion, they cannot be tested under social distancing guidelines.

The guidance adds that, as long as the older animals in the herd have tested negative for TB within the relevant testing window, then no movement restrictions will be placed on herds.

The move follows campaigning by the veterinary profession to allow a greater number of TB herd tests to be completed safely.

Welcoming the amendment, BVA's junior vice-president James Russell said: “We are extremely pleased to see this pragmatic approach to bovine TB testing rules following urgent representations to the government by the veterinary profession.

“While we recognise that it will have some effect on the overall interpretation of the TB status of herds, the amendment provides a risk-based approach that prioritises human safety and public health whilst allowing vets and farmers to continue vital animal health work during the Covid-19 restrictions.

“From a longer-term perspective, it will help vets maintain the food supply chain by controlling bovine TB through statutory controls.”

Nikki Hopkins, president of The British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) added: “Clearly, the restrictions everyone faces under COVID-19 requires cooperation between vet and client in new and challenging ways. Each party needs to understand its own obligation to ensure one another’s safety.

“We must all work together, with farming unions and APHA to communicate those responsibilities to our communities in-order to avoid risky interactions. This temporary exemption is a really positive move and hopefully strikes a balance between keeping everyone safe, still maintaining the food chain and bTB surveillance, whilst allowing vets the flexibility to make informed testing decisions on-farm, without the pressure of putting some farms under suspension.”

Normal TB testing procedures still apply in Scotland. The BVA states that, if it’s not possible to safely TB test calves whilst maintaining social distancing, vets must record this on the test chart and the test will be incomplete.

A guide for farm vets and Official Veterinarians on assessing essential care during the Covid-19 pandemic is available to view on the BVA's website.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.